Mpox
- Conditions and diseases
Overview
Since 6 May 2022 public health agencies in the United Kingdom have been responding to an outbreak of mpox.
Here we present the most up-to-date information for healthcare professionals – we are collaborating with partner organisations and will update these pages as this situation evolves.
On 19 July the four public health agencies of the United Kingdom updated the principles for mpox control in the UK.
- Current situation
As of 12 noon on Monday 19 December 2022 there have been 97 laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox reported since 23 May 2022.
There has been no increase since the page was last updated.
Weekly mpox surveillance data updates will cease from 20 December 2022
The majority of cases are adults known to be gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and report travel within 21 days of symptom onset.
Name change
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that 'monkeypox' should now be referred to as 'mpox'.
The name change is to address concerns around stigmatising language associated with the disease.
Learn more about the change in the press release from WHO (external website).
Guidance for professionals
Public health management of cases
Our PHS guidance for health protection teams (HPTs) is based on the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA):
- principles for mpox control in the UK four nations consensus statement
- associated UKHSA mpox guidance
Download PHS case and contact information sheets for HPTs from SHPIR (login required).
Briefing for health professionals
View our mpox briefing for professionals.
Social media toolkit
View and download social media assets to help spread our message.
Enhanced surveillance
Enhanced surveillance data is being coordinated by devolved administrations and submitted centrally to a UK mpox database at UKHSA.
Country-level data will be available to devolved administrations in real-time.
For confirmed cases, submit an enhanced questionnaire – this is available on SHPIR (login required).
Laboratory guidance
View our laboratory information note on mpox cases in the UK.
Infection control guidance
- ARHAI guidance on infection prevention and control in healthcare settings
- PHS guidance on cleaning sex-on-premises venues
- PHS advice on cleaning in domestic settings is available in the UKHSA principles for mpox control in the UK
- UKHSA principles for mpox control in the UK
Vaccination
Vaccine doses administered
As of 29 January 2023, there have been 4402 individuals vaccinated with MVA vaccine. 1075 have completed a primary course* and 3327 have received a first dose only.
*a primary course is two doses or a single dose if previously vaccinated against smallpox in early years.
Sexual health clinics continue to administer vaccinations to high risk individuals.
Workforce education resources
Access TURAS for resources on vaccination against mpox using MVA-BN vaccines.
Informing PHS and requesting the vaccine
Information for local health protection teams about how to inform PHS following public health assessment and how to request the vaccine.
You will need a SHPIR login to access this.
Pre and post-exposure vaccination
Read the:
Green Book
View the Green Book, chapter 29 for vaccine information about smallpox and mpox.
Leaflets
Download our protect yourself against mpox leaflet for use with the public.
Further vaccination information
View information on mpox vaccination on NHS inform. There are also details of local sexual health services.
Information for the public
Members of the public should go to NHS inform to find out about:
PHS also produce advice leaflets to support members of the public: