This was previous called Monkeypox but should be referred to as Mpox following advice from the WHO. Mpox is very rare in the UK and is more commonly found in west or central Africa. At present, although there has been a very slight increase in cases in the UK the numbers are still low and the risk of catching it is still low.
Mpox is an infectious disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus (MPXV). It is spread by very close skin-to-skin contact, breathing in virus through the respiratory tract, or contact with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, genitals).
Person-to-person spread may occur through:
direct contact with skin lesions or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact)
coughing or sneezing of someone who has mpox when they’re close to you
contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) used by someone with mpox
pregnant women can pass the virus to their unborn baby
UKHSA (2024) states that the ‘Spread of mpox may also occur when a person comes into close contact with an infected animal (rodents are believed to be the primary animal reservoir for transmission to humans), human, or materials contaminated with the virus. Mpox has not been detected in animals in the UK.’
The incubation period is between 5 to 21 days and symptoms include:
fever
headache
muscle aches
backache
swollen lymph nodes
chills
exhaustion
joint pain
rash within 1-5 days- very similar to the chickenpox rash
Those with mpox are infectious until the rash lesions have fallen off. So, it is possible to spread the virus until there is intact skin under where the lesion was. The scabs can also contain the virus so bedding towels etc, should not be shared and cleaned well. Those with confirmed mpox should stay at home until all the scabs have fallen off and the new skin underneath the lesions is intact.
UKHSA (2024) state that ‘Patients with a travel or exposure history indicating possible HCID mpox should be discussed with the RIPL clinical team as soon as possible via the 24/7 Imported Fever Service helpline (0844 778 8990).’
The virus usually heals without any medication and then symptoms are usually mild and the infected person gets better within a few weeks. Antiviral medications are only used in severe cases.
The vaccine for mpox in the UK is currently only recommended for those working in laboratories with this virus, staff working in High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) units and staff regularly undertaking environmental decontamination around cases of monkey pox. The vaccine is not part of the UK immunisation schedule and at present UKHSA will advise the vaccine is administered to others if there is an outbreak, (Greenbook, chapter 29 page 11).
