Monkeypox was first detected in Nigeria and the DRC in the 1970s. Since then there’ve been a number of cases in West African countries including Cameroon, the Central Africa Republic and Sierra Leone – but it hasn’t been a problem for much of the rest of the continent – and compared to major killers like malaria, HIV and TB, very few people actually die from it. And yet the World Health Organisation says African countries should be on alert - and prepare their response to it. So why is it a priority now? Is it just because people in western nations have been affected? Or is it really a new global threat? Alan Kasujja looks at the issue for Africa Daily.