What is monkeypox and how do you catch it?

Symptoms of monkeypox include a rash which starts on the face and spreads to the body

Cases of monkeypox - a rare, little-known disease - are being investigated in European countries including the UK, as well as in the US, Canada and Australia.

In the UK there have been around 3,400 confirmed cases since May.

Infections are usually mild and the risk to the general population is low, but stocks of a vaccine to guard against the virus are set to run out in the UK - although 100,000 more jabs are due to arrive in September.

How common is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe and experts say chances of infection are low.

It occurs mostly in remote parts of central and west African countries, near tropical rainforests. In those regions, there have been more than 1,200 cases of monkeypox since the start of the year.

Two main strains of the virus - west African and central African - are known to exist, and it's the milder one from west Africa which is now circulating in other regions of the world.

The unusually high numbers of people infected with monkeypox outside of Africa with no travel links to the region, means the virus is now spreading in the community.

The UK Health Security Agency says anyone concerned they could be infected should phone NHS 111 or contact their local sexual health clinic, but call or email ahead of a visit.

It is also advising those infected not to have sex while they have symptoms and use condoms for eight weeks after an infection, as a precaution.

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What is Monkeypox?

James Gallagher explains what it is and if we should be worried.

Available now on BBC iPlayer

What are the symptoms?

Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, aching muscles.

Once the fever breaks a rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The rash, which can be extremely itchy or painful, changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. The lesions can cause scarring.

The infection usually clears up on its own and lasts between 14 and 21 days.

How do you catch it?

Monkeypox can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth.

It has not previously been described as a sexually transmitted infection, but it can be passed on by close contact.

Guidance is advising anyone with the virus to abstain from sex while they have symptoms.

While there is currently no available evidence that monkeypox can be spread in sexual fluids, people confirmed to have the virus are advised to use condoms for eight weeks after infection as a precaution.

It can also be spread by contact with infected animals such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, or by virus-contaminated objects, such as bedding and clothing.

Monkeypox virus particle

How dangerous is it?

Most cases of the virus are mild, sometimes resembling chickenpox, and clear up on their own within a few weeks.

Monkeypox can sometimes be more severe. Twelve people have died worldwide with it in the most recent outbreak, but none in the UK.

Are gay men at greater risk?

Although some of the cases have been seen in gay and bisexual men, anyone who comes into close contact with someone who has monkeypox could potentially get the virus.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said "a notable proportion" of the recent cases in the UK and Europe have been found in gay and bisexual men "so we are particularly encouraging them to be alert to the symptoms and seek help if concerned".

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How common are outbreaks?

The virus was first identified in a captive monkey and since 1970 there have been sporadic outbreaks reported across 10 African countries.

In 2003 there was an outbreak in the US, the first time it had been seen outside Africa. Patients caught the disease from close contact with prairie dogs that had been infected by small mammals imported into the country. A total of 81 cases were reported, but none resulted in deaths.

In 2017, Nigeria experienced the largest known outbreak. There were 172 suspected cases and 75% of victims were men between 21 and 40 years old.

What is the treatment?

Outbreaks can be controlled by infection prevention.

Vaccination against smallpox has been proven to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox.

The UK has bought tens of thousands of doses of the smallpox vaccine and those at high risk of being infected, plus some high-risk close contacts - including some healthworkers - are being offered one.

Antiviral drugs may also help and the UK has approved one, called tecovirimat, for this.

Should the public be concerned?

Health protection teams are contacting people who've come into close contact with confirmed cases and are at high risk. They are offering advice and monitoring them.

They are advising anyone else who has been in close contact with someone infected by monkeypox to isolate at home for up to 21 days.

Sources: UKHSA and World Health Organization.