There are now two confirmed cases of monkeypox in the Republic of Ireland, according to the Health Service Executive.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said this "was not unexpected" following the presence of monkeypox in the UK and across Europe.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease that is usually mild. The virus is found in some animal populations in remote parts of central and west Africa, and in the past has caused occasional limited outbreaks in local communities and travellers.
The cases being reported across multiple countries now are unusual because most of the cases do not have a link to travel to these parts of Africa. The current outbreak is a milder west African variant.
Monkeypox spreads through close contact, including contact with the skin rash of someone with monkeypox.
People who closely interact with someone who is infectious are at greater risk for infection: this includes household members, sexual partners and healthcare workers.
The risk of spread within the community in general is very low, according to public health officials.
Health officials have followed up with those who have been in contact with the confirmed cases in Ireland while they were infectious.
Public health risk assessments have been undertaken, and those who were in contact with the cases are being advised on what to do in the event that they become ill.
No other details have been made available in the interests of patient confidentiality.
There are more than 200 other confirmed cases of monkeypox across Europe, North America and other countries in recent weeks.
"The vast majority of these cases do not have a travel link to a country where monkeypox is endemic," the HPSC has said.
"Many countries have reported that the cases are predominantly, but not exclusively, in men who self-identify as gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men," it added.
A multidisciplinary incident management team was established by the HSE when the international alert was first raised and commenced activities to prepare for cases in Ireland.
