Health and wellbeing

Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a rare infectious disease most commonly found in parts of west, central and east Africa. The risk of catching it in the UK is low.

There have been a small number of cases of mpox in the UK since 2022. These have all been a type of mpox that may be milder (called Clade 2 mpox).

During 2024, Clade 1 mpox cases were reported to have spread across more countries in Africa. Clade 1 mpox can be more serious, but so far has mainly been found in countries across west, central and east Africa.

How you get 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 holding hands)
• touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox
• the coughs or sneezes of a person with mpox when they are close to you

Symptoms of Mpox

If you get infected with mpox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

A rash usually appears one to five days after the first symptoms. It can be on any part of the body, including the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, mouth, genitals and anus.

The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It starts as raised spots, which turn into sores (ulcers) or small blisters filled with fluid. The blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off.

The symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks. While you have symptoms, you can pass mpox on to other people.

Anyone with concerns that they could be infected should see a health professional but make contact with the clinic or surgery ahead of a visit.

Call 111 or contact a sexual health clinic if you have a rash with blisters and either:

• you have been in close contact with someone who has or might have Mpox (even if they have not been tested yet) in the past three weeks
• you have been to west or central Africa in the past three weeks
• you are a man who has sex with men.

If you have had close contact with someone who has or might have Mpox, or if you have recently travelled to central or west Africa, do not go to a sexual health clinic without contacting them first. Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people until you have been told what to do.