Monkeypox cases on the rise across the UK

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected 15 additional cases of monkeypox in England and 3 in Scotland.

This brings the total number confirmed in England to 214 as of 2 June.

There are currently 8 confirmed cases in Scotland, 2 in Northern Ireland and 1 in Wales, taking the UK total to 225.

Anyone can get monkeypox. Currently most cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with men, so it’s particularly important to be aware of the symptoms if you’re in these groups.

Contact a sexual health clinic if you have a rash with blisters and you’ve been either:

• in close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has or might have monkeypox (even if they’ve not been tested yet) in the past 3 weeks
• to West or Central Africa in the past 3 weeks