Monkeypox in Scotland - Update

There have been 17 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox reported in Scotland between 23 May and 16 June 2022.

Any additional cases of monkeypox continue to be updated on the our monkeypox webpage on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Currently most cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with men, and are primarily associated with recent European travel.

The individuals are receiving care and treatment appropriate to their condition in line with nationally agreed protocols and guidance. Close contacts of the cases are being identified and provided with health information, advice and, where appropriate, vaccine.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has been working closely with NHS Boards and other partners to raise awareness of the disease and ensure services are ready to respond. Importantly, monkeypox testing services have now been validated in Scotland and testing began on Thursday 9 June.  This means that the testing time of samples from suspected cases is much shorter.  

In addition, PHS continues to work with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Public Health Wales and Northern Ireland HSC Health Protection Agency to monitor and respond to potential and confirmed cases of monkeypox in the UK.

Monkeypox is a viral infection only recently detected in the UK. It is generally a mild self-limiting illness, spread by very close contact with someone already infected and with symptoms of monkeypox. Most people recover within a few weeks.

Information on the symptoms of and treatment for monkeypox are available on NHS inform (external website).