An update on mpox
Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa to be a public health emergency of international concern. This follows the rapid spread of mpox virus strain, clade 1.
So far, no cases of clade 1 mpox have been detected in the UK, and the risk to the general UK population is currently considered low. People who have recently travelled to the affected areas should however be aware of the signs and symptoms and contact a healthcare professional by calling 111 if they are concerned.
The UK does not currently recommend pre-travel vaccination for mpox. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert advisory committee that advises the UK government on vaccinations, continues to review the latest data on the current clade 1 mpox outbreak and will update vaccination recommendations accordingly.
This is a rapidly changing situation. Please check the UKHSA website for the latest information.
Further information is also available at these websites: