Mpox update
3 September 2024
Advice and guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
You may have seen news reports about the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises there are currently no confirmed cases in the UK and that the risk to the UK population is currently considered low.
However, planning is underway to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK.
This includes ensuring:
- clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly
- rapid testing is available
- protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission.
Common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last two to four weeks. It also can cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
The infection can be passed on through contact with someone who has the infection or with infected animals.
People are advised to follow the NHS advice on mpox