Mpox
Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a rare infection most commonly found in west or central Africa. Currently, there are no cases of Mpox confirmed in the UK or Gibraltar, and the risk of catching it is low.
How you get Mpox
Anyone can become infected if they have close personal contact, often skin-to-skin, with someone who has symptoms.
Mpox can be passed on from person to person through:
- any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or holding hands)
- touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox
- the coughs or sneezes of a person with mpox when they’re close to you
In parts of west and central Africa, mpox can also be caught from infected rodents (such as rats, mice and squirrels) if:
- you’re bitten
- you touch their fur, skin, blood, body fluids, spots, blisters or scabs
- you eat their meat and it has not been cooked thoroughly
Mpox in Gibraltar
There are currently no detected cases of mpox virus in Gibraltar – and the risk is 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
Symptoms of Mpox
If you get infected with mpox, it usually takes between 5 and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear.
The first symptoms of mpox include:
- a high temperature
- a headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen glands
- shivering (chills)
- exhaustion
- joint pain
A rash usually appears 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. The rash often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body. This can include the mouth, genitals and anus.
You may also have anal pain or bleeding from your bottom.
The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It starts as raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid. These blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off.
The symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks. While you have symptoms, you can pass mpox on to other people.
Urgent advice: CALL 111 and inform the operator of any travel history or possible contact with someone who may have Mpox
Treatment for Mpox
Mpox is usually mild and most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.
But if your symptoms are more severe and you become unwell, you may need treatment in hospital.
The risk of needing treatment in hospital is higher for:
- older people
- young children
- people with a condition or who are taking a medicine that affects their immune system
Because the infection can be passed on through close contact, it’s important to isolate if you’re diagnosed with it.
You may be asked to isolate at home if your symptoms are mild.
Is there a vaccine against Mpox?
No, there is no specific vaccine for mpox. Some studies shown that people who have been vaccinated against smallpox could have a good level of protection against mpox. After the 2022 pre-exposure vaccination campaign, the GHA is no longer offering the smallpox vaccine and this will be kept under review.
Contracting Mpox from travelling to Spain?
As the number of confirmed case of Mpox in Europe are extremely small, the Director of Public Health has assessed the risk of Mpox from trvalling in or through Spain as low. Public Health Gibraltar will be advising if this situation changes.
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