The European Commission said Friday it is monitoring an outbreak of monkeypox "very, very closely," as European and American health authorities have identified a number of cases in recent days, mostly in young men.

The World Health Organization confirmed about 80 cases in a statement released on May 20, with recent outbreaks reported in 11 countries and regions.

Monkeypox is a virus that originates in wild animals like rodents and primates and occasionally jumps to people. Most human cases have been in central and west Africa, where the disease is endemic.