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Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a rare infection most commonly found in west or central Africa. There has recently been an increase in cases in the UK, but the risk of catching it is low.
Although more people have been diagnosed with it recently, only a small number of people in the UK have had Mpox and the risk remains low.
You’re extremely unlikely to have Mpox if:
you have not been in close contact (such as touching their skin or sharing towels, clothes or bedding) with someone who has Mpox or has Mpox symptoms
you have not recently travelled to west or central Africa
At this time this practice is not providing Mpox vaccinations routinely. If you believe you may have been exposed to Mpox please follow the guidance as detailed on the NHS Website or as included on this webpage.
How to get Mpox Vaccination
Mpox is caused by a similar virus to smallpox. The smallpox (MVA) vaccine should give a good level of protection against Mpox. The NHS is offering smallpox vaccination to people who are most likely to be exposed to Mpox.
Your local NHS services may contact you and offer you a vaccine if you’re at risk of exposure. This information will not come from the GP Surgery. Currently the NHS Mpox outbreak vaccination programme is only available in London and Greater Manchester. For local options we advise contacting a sexual health clinic for further information.
Contact us at the practice if a child has a rash with blisters and has either:
been in close contact with someone who has or might have Mpox (even if they’ve not been tested yet) in the past 3 weeks
been to west or central Africa in the past 3 weeks
They should stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, including sharing towels or bedding, until you’ve been told what to do.
You must call the surgery before visiting and tell the person you speak to if the child had close contact with someone who has or might have Mpox, or if they’ve recently travelled to central or west Africa.
Stay at home and call 111 for advice if you’re unable to contact the surgery or sexual health clinic.
