What is Mpox (Monkeypox)?
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00:00Hi, I'm health reporter Sarah McCann. This is everything you need to know about Mpox.
00:06The World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency following an outbreak of Mpox in Africa.
00:13Cases have increased significantly this year with over 15,000 reported so far and
00:20537 deaths recorded.
00:23Mpox is a virus from the same family as smallpox.
00:26It often presents as a rash-like illness with there being two clades of the virus according to gov.uk.
00:34These are clade 1 and clade 2.
00:38According to the NHS, symptoms of Mpox will first materialize as flu-like. This can include a fever, headache,
00:45fatigue, muscle pain or shivering.
00:49After one to five days, the person will then develop a rash which can start on the face and will often then spread to other
00:56areas of the body. This is not the first time there has been a global outbreak of Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.
01:05The last time there was a global outbreak was in 2022 where over 70 countries
01:10experienced their first case of Mpox including the UK.
01:15The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox as it will first materialize as small spots that will then turn into
01:21blisters filled with fluid that will then heal and scab and fall off.
01:26It's important to note that whilst you have symptoms of Mpox, you can pass on the infection.
01:33Mpox is contagious. It is spread by close physical contact with the Mpox blisters.
01:39This could be through sexual contact or things like hugging or kissing or touching the blisters.
01:45It can also be spread through the use of linens or clothes with somebody who is infected and it may be spread through
01:53respiratory droplets.
01:56Most cases of Mpox are mild with people not requiring treatment and recovering after a few weeks according to the NHS.
02:04However, if you are in one of the vulnerable categories such as a young child, someone who is immunocompromised or someone who is living with HIV,
02:12you may experience a more severe illness if you catch Mpox.
02:17Mpox is highly contagious.
02:19So if you do test positive, you may be asked to self isolate to prevent spreading the infection within your community.
02:27Following on from the global outbreak of Mpox in 2022, the NHS do have an Mpox vaccination programme.
02:35Eligibility for this will vary depending on the region of the UK you're from and it is recommended that if you suspect that you have any
02:42symptoms of Mpox or you could possibly have been exposed to Mpox that you contact your local sexual health clinic to find out more and
02:49if you're eligible for the vaccine.