Mpox
Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) is a rare disease that is caused by infection with mpox virus. The risk of catching mpox in the UK is low for most people.
Symptoms of mpox
After infection with mpox, it can take between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. Initial symptoms of mpox include:
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen lymph nodes
- chills and exhaustion
- joint pain
A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body including the mouth, genitals and anus.
The rash changes and goes through different stages.
It can look like chickenpox, starting as raised spots, turning into small blisters filled with fluid, then finally forming a scab which later falls off.
How you catch mpox
Mpox can be passed on from person to person through:
- any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact)
- touching things or surfaces used by someone with mpox, such as clothing, bedding or towels
- the coughs or sneezes of a person with mpox when they're close to you
Mpox has not been found in animals in the UK, but you can also catch it from infected animals (usually rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels) if:
- you're bitten
- you touch their fur, skin, blood, body fluids, spots, blisters or scabs
- you eat their meat and it has not been cooked thoroughly
You can check the risks of a country you’re travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website.
Vaccination to help protect against mpox
The vaccine is recommended to people at higher risk of coming into contact with mpox.
This includes:
- gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and some trans and non-binary people who have multiple partners, have group sex, go to sex on premises venues or have had an STI in the past year, for example chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis
- staff working in sex on premises venues
- some healthcare workers in high risk settings where they may care for a patient with mpox
A single dose of vaccine should be offered as soon as possible. A second dose may be offered at least 28 days after the first dose for those at risk of ongoing mpox exposure.
Where you can get the vaccine
Gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men, as well as trans and non-binary people at higher risk can get the vaccine through sexual health clinics are offering the MVA vaccine.
Healthcare workers at higher risk will be offered the vaccine from their employer.
Information on the smallpox vaccination to protect against mpox is available at the links below:
If you think you might have mpox
If you think you have mpox and have unusual rashes or lesions on any part of your body, especially your genitalia, you should contact your local healthcare provider or GUM clinic without delay if you have concerns.
If you cannot contact a sexual health clinic, you should contact your GP.
Phone first ahead of a visit to a healthcare facility.
Tell the person on the phone if you have had close contact with a person who has, or might have mpox, or if you have recently travelled to a high-risk country.
Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, including sharing towels or bedding, until you have been told what to do.
Your call or discussion will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
If you think you need urgent or emergency care, contact the Phone First Service.
If you think your child might have mpox
You should call your GP if your child has a rash with blisters and has either:
- been in close contact with someone who has or might have mpox (even if they've not been tested yet) in the past 21 days
OR
- recently been to a high-risk country
They should stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, including sharing towels or bedding, until you've been told what to do.
Call the GP surgery before visiting.
Tell the person you speak to if the child had close contact with someone who has or might have mpox, or if they've recently travelled to Central or West Africa.
Further information
More information is available at: