Liverpool City Council and its health partners are urging people to stay alert to the risk of Mpox cases, following a recent rise in cases in the Northwest.
Mpox is a viral infection which spreads through close contact, including intimate or sexual contact, or contact with contaminated materials, such as bed sheets or towels.
Like many viral diseases, Mpox has different types which are also referred to as ‘clades’.
Clade II Mpox has been present in the UK since 2022 and continues to this day. Clade I Mpox was previously only reported in parts of Central Africa, but there is now increasing transmission in several countries in east and central Africa, and cases have been reported in countries outside of the African continent, including a small number detected in the UK.
Find a list of countries which have been affected here
The chances of infection remain low however, people should be aware of the symptoms in order to avoid transmission.
Symptoms include:
- A skin rash with blisters, spots or ulcers that can appear anywhere on the body.
- Fever
- Headaches, backache, and muscle aches
- Joint pains
- Swollen glands
- Shivering (chills)
- Exhaustion or fatigue
After contracting Mpox a rash will usually appear 1 to 5 days after a fever, headache or other symptoms. It often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body. The number of sores can range.
Find out who is most at risk of contracting Mpox here.
Health officials advise that individuals at risk, especially those who have recently travelled to affected countries, should monitor for symptoms such as spots, blisters, or ulcers. If symptoms develop, isolate at home and contact NHS 111 for guidance.
Please contact a clinic if you have a rash with blisters, or any abnormal bleeding, and have:
- Been in close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has or might have Mpox in the past 3 weeks.
- Had 1 or more new sexual partners in the past 3 weeks.
You can contact your local sexual health clinic for further information and to see if you’re eligible for vaccination:
Axess Sexual Health – https://www.axess.clinic/ 000 323 1300
For more information and guidance, please visit https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/category/mpox/
Or https://www.gov.uk/guidance/monkeypox
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing said: “We have made excellent progress tackling Mpox in the UK since the outbreak was first identified in May 2022.
“In Liverpool we kept cases to a minimum by ensuring that we supported people with information around symptoms, where to go for support and vaccination, and remaining vigilant.”
