Mpox

Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a rare infection most commonly found in parts of west, central and east Africa. The risk of catching mpox in Wales is low.

There are currently two main types of mpox.

Mpox, Clade II

Since January 2023, Clade II mpox is no longer considered a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) within the UK.

There have been a small number of cases of Clade II in Wales since 2022. More information about the response to Clade II mpox in Wales is available here:

Mpox, Clade I

Clade I mpox is considered a high consequence infectious disease (HCID). So far this type of mpox has mainly been found in countries across west, central and east Africa. There have not been any cases of the type of mpox in Wales, or in the UK.

Public Health Wales is working with the Welsh Government, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Public Health Scotland, and Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, and we are ready to respond to cases of the high consequence infectious disease Clade I mpox in Wales, if they should occur.

How is mpox transmitted?

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 five 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 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.

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.

Telephone your GP or NHS 111 Wales if:

you have a rash with blisters or sores (ulcers) and you've been to central or east Africa in the past three 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 three weeks
you have any other symptoms of mpox and you've been to central or east Africa in the past three 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.

Please do not attend a healthcare facility unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional. Tell the person you speak to about your recent travel history.

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.

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. More information on mpox vaccination is available here:

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.

Wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
Look out for any possible symptoms of mpox for three 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 one 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

Travel guidance

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office keeps its travel advice for each country or territory under review to ensure it includes up-to-date information and advice on the most relevant issues for British people visiting or living there.

Travel advice is regularly updated and we recommend anyone planning to travel to review this beforehand, including links to local authorities and services for advice and procedures when on the ground.

More information for travellers on emerging risks is provided by National Travel Health Network and Centre. (English only)

The information on this page has been adapted by Public Health Wales from original content supplied by NHS UK.