Monkeypox is a rare illness caused by the monkeypox virus and one of the symptoms is a rash that is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It's usually associated with travel to Central or West Africa but cases have been occurring in England with no travel links.
Monkeypox can be passed on when someone comes into close physical contact with someone with monkeypox. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth.
If you test positive for monkeypox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear.
Symptoms include recent unexpected/unusual spots, ulcers or blisters anywhere on your body, fever, headaches, muscle aches, swollen glands, chills and exhaustion.
A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body.
The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It starts as raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off.
The virus can be passed on if there is close physical contact between people through:
You should contact a sexual health clinic if you have a rash with blisters and have been either:
Please make sure you contact the clinic before you visit. You can find your local sexual health clinic on the NHS website.
If you can't attend a sexual health clinic, you should call 111 or use the 111 online service.
You can also find information on the NHS and Unity Sexual Health websites:
The NHS is contacting and vaccinating people who are eligible for protection.
As monkeypox is related to the virus which causes smallpox, vaccines developed for smallpox are being used to provide protection against monkeypox.
If you are invited to get the vaccine, it is recommended you take the offer as soon as you are able. If you have questions about the vaccine, including eligibility or why you may have received the text message, please visit the Unity Sexual Health website.
Anyone receiving a text message being invited for a vaccination has been clinically assessed, and identified, as eligible. This text message is unique to the individual and cannot be shared onwards for another person’s use to receive a vaccination.
Please do not attend a clinic if you do not have an appointment. Further appointments will be made available for eligible people in the coming weeks.
There is more information about the vaccination strategy for monkeypox on the UKHSA website.
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating the recent cases in England. Most of the early cases have been in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Therefore UKHSA is urging this group in particular to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.
UKHSA will post regular updates on the gov.uk website and their blog.