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Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a rare infection most commonly found in west or central Africa. There has recently been an increase in cases in the UK, but the risk of catching it is low.
Mpox can be passed on from person to person through:
In parts of west and central Africa, mpox can also be caught from infected rodents (such as rats, mice and squirrels) if:
Although more people have been diagnosed with it recently, only a small number of people in the UK have had mpox and the risk remains low.
You're extremely unlikely to have mpox if:
Anyone can get mpox.
Currently most cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men, so it's particularly important to be aware of the symptoms if you're in these groups.
If you get infected with mpox, it usually takes between 5 and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear.
The first symptoms of mpox include:
A rash usually appears 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. The rash often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body. This can include the mouth, genitals and anus.
You may also have anal pain or bleeding from your bottom.
The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It starts as raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid. These 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.
You have a rash with blisters, anal pain or bleeding from your bottom and have either:
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 clinic before visiting.
Tell the person you speak to if you've had close contact with someone who has or might have mpox, or if you've recently travelled to central or west Africa.
Stay at home and call 111 for advice if you're not able to contact a sexual health clinic.
A child has a rash with blisters and has either:
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.
Stay at home and call 111 for advice if you're not able to contact a GP.
NHS 111 can tell you what to do if you have a rash but:
Mpox is usually mild and most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
But if your symptoms are more severe and you become unwell, you may need treatment in hospital.
The risk of needing treatment in hospital is higher for:
Because the infection can be passed on through close contact, it's important to isolate if you're diagnosed with it.
You may be asked to isolate at home if your symptoms are mild.
Mpox is caused by a similar virus to smallpox. The smallpox (MVA) vaccine should give a good level of protection against mpox.
The NHS is offering the smallpox (MVA) vaccine to people who are most likely to be exposed to mpox.
People who are most likely to be exposed include:
Healthcare workers will usually be offered 2 doses of the vaccine.
Men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men will be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. The 2nd dose will be offered from 2 to 3 months after the 1st dose.
Your local NHS services will contact you when you can get your 2nd dose.
The NHS mpox outbreak vaccination programme ended in July 2023. But it is still available in London and Greater Manchester to eligible people who:
Your local NHS services may contact you and offer you a vaccine if you're at risk of exposure.
You may also be offered the vaccine alongside other appointments, such as for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
If you're gay, bisexual or a man who has sex with other men, you can also get the smallpox vaccine from a vaccination site.
If none of the mpox vaccination sites are open or suitable for you, contact a sexual health clinic.
Although mpox is rare, there are things you can do to reduce your chance of getting it and passing it on.
wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
talk to sexual partners about their sexual health and any symptoms they may have
be aware of the symptoms of mpox if you're sexually active, especially if you have new sexual partners
take a break from sex and intimate contact if you have symptoms of mpox until you're seen by a doctor and are told you cannot pass it on
do not share bedding or towels with people who may have mpox
do not have close contact (within 1 metre) with people who may have mpox
do not go near wild or stray animals, including animals that appear unwell or are dead, while travelling in west and central Africa
do not eat or touch meat from wild animals while travelling in west and central Africa
