After more than 300 suspected or confirmed cases of ape pox were detected in May mostly in Europe, WHO ruled out that the spread of the virus could lead to a pandemic, while the organization is still studying whether the outbreak should be assessed as a "potential public health emergency of international concern."

Ape chickenpox is a mild symptomatic disease that usually spreads through close contact, causing symptoms similar to influenza and a rash with a distinctive form.

Most cases have emerged in Europe, not in the countries of Central and West Africa where the virus is endemic, and most are not linked to travel. Some States have begun to provide vaccines to contacts closely related to confirmed cases.

WHO is examining whether the outbreak should be assessed as a "potential public health emergency of international concern". Such an announcement,  such as with COVID-19 and Ebola, would help accelerate research and funding efforts to contain the disease.

On whether the outbreak of chickenpox could turn into a pandemic, Rosamund Lewis, director of smallpox management for the WHO emergency programme, said "we don't know but we don't think so", and continued: "At present we are not concerned about a global pandemic."

The strain of the virus causing the disease is known to lead to death only in a few cases, and no deaths have been recorded so far.