The HSE chief says the health service is prepared if there is an outbreak of monkeypox here.
Global cases of the rare virus have risen sharply in recent weeks and the first case on the island of Ireland was confirmed yesterday.
Paul Reid says the plans to deal with any outbreak here are quite advanced.
"In the last few weeks we have established an incident management team which would have all the specialists involved.
"We're obviously monitoring surveillance all across Europe, and indeed the first case now that has arrived in the North, we're in direct contact with them.
"We have given direct communications out of all our services to strengthen awareness of it.
"The whole approach we are taking with the public is something they'll be familiar with - create awareness, identify the cases, contact tracing, breaking that chain."
