Mpox (monkeypox)

The monkeypox virus, is an orthopoxvirus. It was first discovered in 1958 and occurs mainly in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa thought to be spread by infected wild animals including rats, mice, monkeys and squirrels.

There are currently two major types, or clades, of mpox, known as clade 1 and clade 2.

Clade 2 mpox has been present in the UK since 2022. Clade 1 mpox has previously only been reported in five countries in Central Africa but there is now increasing transmission of Clade 1 mpox in several countries in east and central Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern because of the rapid spread of a mpox virus strain, clade 1, after its emergence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last year, and the potential for the virus to spread further across countries in Africa and outside the continent.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working with the NHS, local authorities, and other government departments to ensure we are ready to respond to any cases we see in the UK and help prevent transmission.

On 30 October, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that a single human case of Clade Ib mpox had been detected in London. The risk to the UK population remains low.

This was the first case of this Clade of mpox in the UK. It is different from mpox Clade II that has been circulating at low levels in the UK since 2022. The infected individual had recently travelled to countries in Africa where the strain in more prevalent. People who have recently travelled to the affected areas should be aware of the signs and symptoms and contact a healthcare professional by calling 111 if they are concerned.

The most common symptoms of mpox, include:

• unusual rashes or lesions on the body such as the face or genital area
• fever
• muscle aches
• chills and exhaustion
• headaches
• swollen lymph nodes

The rash starts on the face one to five days after the first symptoms, and spreads to other parts of the body before forming a scab which then falls off. 

The disease is usually mild and most of those infected will recover within a few weeks without treatment. However, severe illness can occur in some individuals and those with underlying conditions such as severe immunosuppression.

The virus can spread if there is close contact between people through:

• touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the mpox rash
• touching mpox skin blisters or scabs
• the coughs or sneezes of a person with the mpox rash

If you think you have mpox symptoms – however mild:

• Contact NHS 111 or call a sexual health clinic immediately. Your call will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
• Avoid close personal or sexual contact with others until you know that this is not mpox.
• Contact clinics ahead of your visit and avoid close contact with others until you have been seen by a clinician. Your call or discussion will be treated sensitively and confidentially

Treatment for mpox is mainly supportive. The illness is usually mild and most of those infected will recover within a few weeks without treatment.

Smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, and tecovirimat can be used to control outbreaks of mpox.

Vaccination against smallpox can be used for both pre- and post-exposure and is up to 85% effective in preventing mpox. People vaccinated against smallpox in childhood may experience a milder disease.

The NHS is contacting people at the highest risk of exposure to mpox to come forward for vaccination. Find out more information about the vaccination process.

Contact Customer Service at London Borough of Lewisham so we can find a way to best help you.

The overall risk to the public is currently considered low.  However, due to the severity of clade 1 mpox we are reminding people who have recently travelled to the affected areas to be aware of signs and symptoms and contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.

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. NHS 111 can also give advice.

You can also visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/mpox.

Anyone can catch mpox, so if you have recently travelled to an affected country, be aware of the symptoms. If you think you might have the infection, avoid close contact with other people, self-isolate at home and speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.