Mpox in the UK
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).
There have not been any cases of the type of mpox that may be more serious (called Clade 1 mpox) in the UK.
So far this type of mpox has mainly been found in countries across west, central and east Africa.
The risk of catching mpox in the UK is low.
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're close to you
In parts of west, central and east Africa, mpox can also be caught from infected 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
Symptoms of mpox
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 high temperature (fever)
- a headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen glands
- shivering (chills)
- exhaustion
- joint pain
A rash usually appears 1 to 5 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.
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 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.
Urgent advice: Call NHS 111 if:
- you have a rash with blisters or sores (ulcers) and you've been to central or east Africa in the past 3 weeks
- you have a rash with blisters or sores (ulcers) and you've been in close contact (including sexual contact) with someone who has symptoms of mpox and they've been to central or east Africa in the past 3 weeks
- you have any other symptoms of mpox and you've been to central or east Africa in the past 3 weeks and had close contact with someone who had symptoms of mpox
Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, including sharing towels or bedding, until you've been told what to do.
Tell the person you speak to about your recent travel history.
Non-urgent advice: Call a sexual health clinic if:
You have a rash with blisters or sores (ulcers) and have either:
- had 1 or more new sexual partners in the past 3 weeks
- had sex or sexual contact with someone who has symptoms of mpox but has not been to west, central or east Africa in the past 3 weeks
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.
Stay at home and call 111 for advice if you're not able to contact a sexual health clinic.
Other rashes
NHS 111 can tell you what to do if you have a rash but:
- you have not been in close contact with someone who has or might have mpox
- you have not been to west, central or east Africa recently
Treatment for mpox
Mpox is usually mild and can get better within a few weeks without treatment.
But if your symptoms are more severe and you become unwell, you will need treatment in hospital.
The risk of needing treatment in hospital is higher for:
- older people
- young children
- people with a condition or who are taking a medicine that affects their immune system
Because the infection can be passed on through close contact, it's important to isolate if you're told to do so.
GOV.UK has further advice for people infected with mpox who are isolating at home
Vaccination to protect against mpox
Mpox is caused by a similar virus to smallpox. The smallpox (MVA) vaccine should give a good level of protection against mpox.
Who can get mpox vaccination
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 caring for patients with confirmed or suspected mpox
- men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men, and who have multiple partners, participate in group sex or attend sex-on-premises venues (staff at these venues are also eligible)
- people who've been in close contact with someone who has mpox – ideally, they should have 1 dose of the vaccine within 4 days of contact, but it can be given up to 14 days after
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.
Important: Changes to mpox vaccination
The NHS mpox outbreak vaccination programme ended in July 2023. But it is still available in London and Greater Manchester to eligible people who:
- live in London or Greater Manchester
- regularly travel to London or Greater Manchester to have sex
- regularly travel to other countries to have sex
How to get mpox vaccination
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.
Things you can do to avoid getting and passing on mpox
Although mpox is rare, there are things you can do to reduce your chance of getting it and passing it on.
Do
-
wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
-
look out for any possible symptoms of mpox for 3 weeks after returning from west, central or east Africa
-
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
Don’t
-
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, central or east Africa
-
do not eat or touch meat from wild animals while travelling in west, central or east Africa
More information
Page last reviewed: 28 August 2024
Next review due: 25 April 2025