The World Health Organization said Tuesday it saw "encouraging" signs the monkeypox epidemic was slowing in Europe and heading "in the right direction", calling on countries to double down on efforts.
A study said the monkeypox virus has mutated faster than expected.
The study which appeared in Nature Medicine found that there was an average of 50 mutations in samples detected in samples this year. The researchers found 50 genetic variations in viruses which was six to 12 times higher than the studies of other orthopoxviruses, the family of monkeypox.
The researchers said the genetic variations indicated "accelerated evolution".
Nigerian authorities said 21 monkeypox cases have been detected this year with one fatality. Patients affected with monkeypox cases typically display high fever, swollen lymph nodes and rashes with person-to-person infection also possible.
Total confirmed cases of monkeypox across Portugal and Spain have surpassed 250, health authorities reported on Wednesday, as the Iberian Peninsula remains the main hot spot of the recent outbreak.