Experts are warning that a rare deadly virus is making a comeback.

The monkeypox virus comes from western and central Africa, but two unrelated cases of it reported in the United Kingdom in the past few weeks. As they confirmed the diagnosis, Public Health England stressed that though the two people are not related, each of them had recently been in Nigeria.

Early symptoms of this illness are fever, muscle aches, and a rash. Most patients recover within a few weeks, but in other cases, the disease can take a dangerous turn.

“It is very unusual to see two cases in such a relatively short space of time. We are working hard to contact individuals, including healthcare workers, that might have come into contact with the individual to provide information and health advice,” said Nick Phin, deputy director of the National Infection Service.

Last year, there was an outbreak of this virus that stayed in central Nigeria, so it’s alarming that it’s now spreading.

“It is likely that monkeypox continues to circulate in Nigeria and could, therefore, affect travelers who are returning from this part of the world,” Phin said.

Monkeypox was discovered in monkeys in 1958, and the first human case reportedly came in 1970. The virus can be transmitted from animals to humans, or from human to human through bodily fluids or even just through the air.

The hospital where the latest U.K. patient is being treated released a statement saying that there is “currently no risk to other staff, patients or visitors,” and is being contained to a safe area.

“The patient is being cared for on our specialist infectious and tropical diseases unit, by highly trained staff who are experienced in dealing with a variety of infectious diseases,” Mike Beadsworth, clinical director of the Tropical and Infectious Diseases Unit said.

We can only pray that this disease is contained before it spreads any further!