Monkeypox is a rare infectious viral disease usually associated with travel to West Africa. It is generally a mild self-limiting illness, spread by very close contact with someone with monkeypox and most people recover within a few weeks.
A few people in the UK have been diagnosed with it, and while the current outbreak is concerning, the risk to the UK population remains low. A notable proportion of cases have been in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. We encourage these groups to look out for unusual rashes or lesions on the body, especially the genitalia, and contact a sexual health service if they have concerns. For more information, please visit nhs.uk.
Symptoms
- Unusual rashes or lesions on the body such as the face or genital area.
- Fever.
- Muscle aches.
- Chills and exhaustion.
- Headaches.
- Swollen lymph nodes.