Public health management of mpox
Version 2.0

Purpose and scope

In scope

This guidance aims to support those working in health protection teams (HPTs) across Scotland in managing mpox cases and contacts.

It covers the public health management of both clade 1 and clade 2 mpox. Where advice differs, this is highlighted by clade number.

This guidance does not replace individual expert clinical judgment or local response arrangements.

It is designed to support the development of local arrangements and assist in response, while maintaining a reasonable expectation that agreed health protection principles and national policy are supported and implemented to good effect in line with the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008.

This includes exercising functions in a manner which encourages equal opportunities and in observance of equal opportunities requirements.

Employers should be advised to consider the specific conditions of each individual place of work and comply with all applicable legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Out of scope

The guidance does not cover the clinical management of mpox.

Additional resources

This document should also be considered alongside:

• Public Health Scotland mpox resources and links
• UKHSA guidance and associated resources
• National Infection Prevention and Control Manual, in particular any mpox specific advice in the A to Z of pathogens
• guidance on the management of public health incidents (MPHI)
• information for the public on NHS inform
• locally agreed pathways for clinical management

The latest version should always be referred to by checking the PHS mpox page for any updates or related guidance.

Guidance production

Guidance for Scotland was produced by PHS. The guidance is adapted for Scotland from the UKHSA guidance developed initially as part of the clade 2 mpox response in 2022/23 and then the clade 1 mpox response in 2024/25.

The relevant evidence base that these recommendations are based on is available in:

• Mpox control: UK strategy 2025 to 2026
• biological principles for control of mpox in the UK: 4 nations consensus statement
• epidemiological overview
• mpox outbreak: technical briefings

HPTs and other stakeholders contribute to ongoing development through regular feedback and comments.

Feedback on this guidance

Comments on how to improve this guidance are welcome and can be sent to the PHS Guidance Team at phs.guidance@phs.scot

Background

Mpox virus and clades

Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV).

Two clades of MPXV have been identified further divided into four sub-clades:

• clade 1 (formerly Congo Basin/Central African clade), consisting of two subclades:

• clade 1a
• clade 1b

• clade 2 (formerly West African clade), consisting of two subclades:

• clade 2a
• clade 2b

Epidemiology

Before 2022 cases of mpox were primarily confined to central and west Africa, where the disease is endemic, with sporadic imported cases to the UK and other countries. Numbers of imported cases were very low.

In May 2022, an outbreak of cases of human mpox was reported in multiple countries that had not previously identified MPXV in animal or human populations, including the UK. Almost all these cases were from clade 2b. The large majority of all mpox cases in the UK have been identified in gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (GBMSM), aged 20 to 50 years.

In August 2024, the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in response to an increase in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries. A key driver of the upsurge was the emergence, and rapid spread, of a new clade of MPXV – clade 1b. In the UK cases related to this outbreak were primarily imported and associated with travel to the affected region. Limited local transmission (for example, household transmission) associated with these imported clade 1b cases was reported, including in the UK, but there was no evidence of sustained community transmission. At the same time, a smaller increase in clade 1a cases was also reported, with small numbers of imported cases in countries outside Africa.

The UK’s strategic goal is elimination of person-to-person transmission of mpox in the UK. National elimination is defined by the WHO European Region as a country detecting only imported or import-related cases/clusters with onset in the previous 3 months and no local animal reservoir, in the presence of a well-performing surveillance system.

Latest updates

For the latest epidemiological updates see UKHSA mpox latest updates for the UK.

HCID status of mpox

Mpox is not a high consequence infectious disease (HCID).

This applies to all currently identified clades and sub-clades.

All mpox was classified as an HCID in 2018, meaning that all cases were managed via HCID pathways. In January 2023, ACDP advised that clade 2 mpox no longer met the criteria for an HCID due to low case fatality rate, and mild to moderate illness. A further review of evidence in 2025 suggested that the case fatality rate and severity for clade 1b mpox is similar to clade 2b mpox, and in February 2025 ACDP recommended that clade 1 mpox should also no longer be classified as an HCID. On 19^th March, the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the four nations agreed that mpox would no longer be managed as an HCID.

Case detection and public health actions remain vital to reduce morbidity associated with mpox and the UK’s strategic goal of elimination.

Case definitions

Guidance for healthcare professionals on when to suspect a case of mpox is available online and should be the starting point for clinical assessment of a suspected case.

People that meet this clinical case definition (i.e. clinical assessment has identified a suspected case) they should be classified using the public health case definitions below for the purposes of public health management.

Public health action, including identifying close contacts, should be undertaken for all probable and confirmed cases. If mpox is excluded on subsequent testing or further review by the clinical team, public health actions for the case and contacts may be stood down.

For the purposes of public health action, cases should be defined as:

Notification

Mpox as a clinically notifiable disease and MPXV is a notifiable organism under the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008.

The duty on health boards and individuals to notify is further detailed in CMO letter (2022)26.

Medical practitioners and laboratory directors should consider all mpox as an urgent notification. This means HPTs should be informed of all cases as soon as is reasonably practicable.

HPTs are asked to advise PHS of:

• all possible, probable and confirmed clade 1 mpox cases by email to zebr@phs.scot or by phone out-of-hours
• Clade 1 should be notified urgently both in-hours and out-of-hours.
• all possible, probable and confirmed clade 2 mpox cases by email to bbvsti@phs.scot
• all confirmed mpox cases who have travelled during their infectious period (see notification of cases reporting long-distance or international travel)
• all case or contacts intending to travel during their infectious or follow-up period (see notification of cases or contacts intending to travel internationally against advice).
• There is no requirement to notify clade 2 out of hours.

HPTs should manually add all possible and probable cases to HPZone. Use the HP Zone context ‘Clade 1 mpox’ or ‘Clade 2 mpox’ based on the most likely clade type. Confirmed cases will be updated via ECOSS. If negative tests are received the case should be updated to discarded.

Transmission

Mpox does not spread easily between people unless there is close contact.

Spread between people may occur through:

• direct contact with rash, skin lesions or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact)
• contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, snot or mucous
• contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) or other objects and surfaces used by someone with mpox

The risk of transmission will be higher if:

• there are widespread lesions on uncovered areas – for example, hands or face
• the case was displaying respiratory symptoms at the time of contact

The risk of transmission will be lower if the case:

• has a small number of localised genital lesions
• is asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic

For cases who have evidence of lower respiratory tract involvement or severe systemic illness requiring hospitalisation, the possibility of airborne transmission has not been excluded.

Spread of mpox may also occur when a person comes into close contact with an infected animal. Rodents are believed to be the primary animal reservoir for transmission to humans. Mpox has not been detected in animals in the UK.

See the guidance section on animals for further information.

A full consideration of the assumptions about transmission used to derive this guidance are in the UK 4 nations consensus statement. These are based on the available data and expert opinion and are aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Infectious period

Guidance on determining the end of the infectious period is available from UKHSA: de-isolation and discharge of mpox-infected patients.

An individual with mpox is considered infectious from when their symptoms start until:

1. there have been no new lesions for 48 hours
2. their lesions have scabbed over
3. all the scabs have fallen off
4. a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath
5. there are no mucous membrane lesions and/or symptoms suggestive of mucous membrane involvement (for example proctitis) have resolved

This may take several weeks.

The decision to end isolation is based on clinical criteria and is made by the clinical team.

Testing

All suspected mpox cases should be tested.

Detailed advice on testing, including sample requirements and transport and packaging can be found in the PHS laboratory information note for mpox testing in Scotland.

Requesting testing

The designated diagnostic laboratories for mpox testing are the:

• Edinburgh Specialist Virology Centre (SVC)
• West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre (WoSSVC) Glasgow

Getting tested

Local pathways for testing should be established including the use of regional networks when required.

Where it can be operationalised by the board, testing in the patient’s home may be undertaken. See the section on infection prevention and control for advice on PPE.

Waste generated by testing should be disposed of into a disposable rubbish bag followed by placing into a second disposable bag, tied securely and then disposed of through the case’s usual domestic waste. 

HPTs should manually add all possible and probable cases to HPZone. Use the HPZone context ‘Clade 1 mpox’ or ‘Clade 2 mpox’ based on the most likely clade type. Confirmed cases will be updated via ECOSS. If negative tests are received the case should be updated to discarded.

Travelling for testing

Transport from the community to healthcare facilities for well cases or individuals being assessed for mpox should be via private transport where possible.

Before travelling they should have:

• an arranged appointment
• clear instructions on where to report to on arrival

This will ensure that the appropriate IPC measures can be implemented.

Private transport

If otherwise well, cases may walk, cycle or drive themselves to and from healthcare settings.

Where an individual is required to drive or share a private vehicle with a case for the purposes of assessment, testing or urgent care:

• the other individual should preferably be an existing close contact of the case (for example, a household member) and not exposing themselves to new risk of transmission. Where possible, share the vehicle with the same person each time
• everyone in the car should wear a well-fitting surgical face mask or double-layered face covering while in the car
• the distance between people in the vehicle should be maximised, for example, the passenger sitting diagonally behind the driver
• all hard surfaces should be wiped down after the journey using a standard detergent or detergent wipes while still wearing the well-fitting surgical face mask or double-layered face covering
• cleaning waste and face masks/coverings should be double bagged and disposed of as usual with domestic waste, the individual should perform hand hygiene using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub afterwards

Public transport

Where private transport is not available, public transport can be used but busy periods should be avoided where possible.

Any lesions should be covered by cloth (for example scarves or bandages) and a face mask should be worn.

Further mitigations to consider include:

• vehicle adaptations (choosing a vehicle with a screen or barrier to separate the driver from passenger)
• avoiding physical contact and maximising the distance between people in the vehicle (for example, the passenger sitting diagonally behind the driver)
• avoiding busy periods to minimise time in the vehicle and contacts exposed

Receiving results

Test results will be shared via Electronic Communication of Surveillance in Scotland (ECOSS) and HPZone.

The specialist virology centres will also advise positive and negative results for mpox by telephone or email to the requesting clinician or person indicated on email accompanying the submission form.

It is the responsibility of the clinician caring for the patient to notify the local HPT, whether samples are positive or negative.

See the section on notification for more detail.

Any results enquiries should be sent to:

Updating public health action

Upon receipt of a result (positive or negative) HPTs should review their public health actions, for example contact tracing and post-exposure prophylaxis.

When negative results are received the case should be update on HP Zone to ‘discarded’.

Enhanced surveillance

Enhanced surveillance form is required to be completed for all confirmed mpox cases.

Access the surveillance questionnaire on SHPIR (login required).

HPTs should aim to return the enhanced surveillance form as soon as possible and within 48 hours.

The form will be automatically received by PHS once completed by the HPT and submitted via REDCap.

Data required for submission of the enhanced surveillance questionnaire relies significantly on contact tracing, therefore these activities should be combined in as efficient manner as possible to reduce burden on the case and HPT.

Contact tracing may involve taking a detailed sexual history. Further advice on sexual history taking is available in the  British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) guidance on taking sexual histories.

Additional support and input should be sought from local board sexual health colleagues. Delegation of contact tracing and enhanced surveillance may be preferred, especially if the case has co-existing STI diagnoses.

This work division is to be determined by local teams on a case-by-case basis.

Clinical management

Mpox is a notifiable disease.

Clinicians should be directed to UKHSA guidance on when to suspect a case of mpox to support diagnosis.

Initial assessment via primary care or sexual health services, ideally via a remote appointment, is recommended.

Clinical diagnosis of mpox can be challenging and a definitive diagnosis requires PCR testing. Testing all suspected cases supports public health management. Contact tracing and offer of post-exposure vaccination (ideally within 4 days of exposure) is required.

All clinicians reporting suspected cases should therefore be asked to obtain a PCR confirmation as soon as possible.

Mpox does not require management through HCID pathways within healthcare settings.

Clinicians should seek local infectious diseases specialist advice as required via their usual pathways. Specialist clinicians can discuss any patient with suspected mpox with the Imported Fever Service (0844 778 8990).

Where possible, pregnant women and severely immunocompromised individuals (as outlined in the Green book) should not clinically care for individuals with mpox.

See the section on infection prevention and control for advice on PPE.

Guidance for clinicians on advising patients on the end of their isolation is provided in the UKHSA guidance on de-isolation and discharge of mpox-infected patients.

Public health management

Travel and contact history

When a suspected case first presents, a travel and contact history, including sexual contacts, should be taken.

If the receiving clinician has not done so HPTs should ensure this is completed as a priority.

HPTs should ensure that the case has been appropriately classified as per the case definition.

Cases reporting long-distance or international travel

For any confirmed or probable mpox cases that meet the following conditions, inform PHS (phs.zebr@phs.scot) so a travel contact tracing assessment can be carried out and the National Focal Point advised, where applicable.

The conditions are individuals:

• with an international travel history during the infectious or incubation period
• who have travelled by aircraft during the infectious period

For other forms of transport (for example, buses), local health protection teams may choose to use warn and inform letters and share additional information on mpox with passengers who may have come into contact with the case.

PHS should also be notified of any cases or contacts with offshore exposures to ensure this information can be passed to relevant offshore operator.

The case should be advised their details may be shared for specific purposes only, such as with an airline for risk assessing the flight contacts or with UKHSA for onward sharing with foreign public health authorities for them to make a public health risk assessment.

Case isolation

Confirmed, probable and possible cases awaiting assessment or test results, should avoid close contact with others.

Home isolation may be used when:

• individuals are clinically well and ambulatory
• this decision has been judged safe and clinically appropriate by the lead clinician
• cases have ongoing clinical and public health support for clinical management and isolation

To reduce the risk of onwards transmission, ambulatory well cases should:

• cover lesions, for example with clothing or a dressing, if lesions are limited
• wear a face mask, if possible, if they have respiratory symptoms or oropharyngeal lesions

Cases should isolate until they meet the criteria for ending isolation.

There should be locally agreed monitoring and review mechanisms in place to support people at home. These arrangements should be agreed with local health protection teams with input from stakeholders who may include:

• infectious disease services
• sexual health
• GP
• local authority partners
• health and social care partnerships

Where admission to a health or social care setting is required, guidance for management is available in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) A-Z of pathogens.

Pregnant women and severely immunocompromised individuals (as outlined in the Green book) should take additional precaution to avoid contact with the case within the home.

Contact tracing and follow-up

Contact tracing and follow-up is required for the contacts of confirmed mpox cases.

Contact tracing

Contacts from the infectious period should be identified and followed up as per the contact tracing guidance for mpox.

Contact follow-up

There is no requirement for active follow-up of contacts.

High (category 3) and medium risk (category 2) contacts should be managed using passive surveillance. They should be given a designated HPT contact point to phone if they develop any symptoms.

The contact follow-up period is 21 days from the last exposure to the confirmed case.

For the purposes of calculating follow-up periods, the last day of exposure should be counted as day 0.

In the case of ongoing contact, the start date for follow-up would typically be the same as the date the case began to isolate away from the household contacts.

Where separation between household contacts and the case cannot be achieved to a level that the HPT assesses as sufficient, contacts may be considered as having ongoing exposure and their follow-up period extended accordingly.

HPTs are not required to contact these individuals at the end of their monitoring period, but their follow-up end date should be made clear to them.

Self-isolation (quarantine)

Self-isolation (quarantine) is not required for any mpox contact unless they have symptoms consistent with mpox.

In such cases they should be assessed as a possible or probable case (see contacts with symptoms).

Exclusion from work or school

Following a risk assessment, category 3 and category 2 contacts may be advised to stay away from work for the duration of their follow-up period if work involves contact with:

• immunosuppressed people
• pregnant women
• children aged under 5 years, for example, children who attend nursery, nursery staff or midwives

These contacts may continue to work from home or be reassigned to other work duties where contact with vulnerable groups is not required. Discuss this with occupational health.

All other contacts can continue to work as usual.

Category 3 contacts who are children aged under 5 years should be excluded from all settings attended by other children aged under 5 for 21 days from last exposure.

Children aged 5 years and over may not require exclusion from educational setting. A risk assessment should be undertaken to include age, vulnerable setting and additional caring needs.

Where occupational exposure or exposure of patients in a healthcare setting may have occurred, occupational health and IPCT should be involved as appropriate.

Where exclusion is required – for example for high-risk contacts who are either voluntarily or legally excluded from work with vulnerable groups – these exclusions must be undertaken by competent persons in line with sections 56, 57 and 58 of the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008.

Where exclusion has been used – for example for cases or high-risk contacts who are either voluntarily or legally excluded from work with vulnerable groups – compensation to provide for any loss incurred when voluntarily complying with a request or order should be processed in line with sections 56, 57 and 58 of the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 as required.

Other advice for contacts

​Category 3 and category 2 contacts should be advised to:

• avoid sexual or intimate contact and other activities involving skin to skin contact for 21 days from last exposure
• not travel internationally for 21 days after last exposure

An information sheet should be sent to the contacts as per the contact’s classification.

Download these from the UKHSA page for information for contacts of cases of mpox.

Post-exposure vaccination

All category 3 and some category 2 contacts are eligible for post-exposure vaccination, if identified within 4 days of exposure, or up to 14 days, following risk assessment.

Full recommendations are set out in the UKHSA mpox contact tracing guidance.

Refer to the vaccination section for more information.

Contacts with symptoms

Any contact who develops mpox symptoms is a possible or probable mpox case and should be advised to:

• phone their designated HPT contact point straight away
• stop working and return home, ideally by private transport
• be referred for assessment through local clinical pathways.

Travel for cases and contacts

Travel is not advised for any cases who have been advised to isolate at home.

International travel is not advised for any category 3 or category 2 contacts during their follow-up period.

Travelling against advice

Where a case or contact plans to travel against public health advice the HPT should try to discourage this, and failing that, to mitigate the risk to others.

People traveling against public health advice should be advised to:

• discuss any travel plans with their travel insurance company
• disclose the fact they have been identified as a case or a contact of a mpox case
• consider the accessibility of appropriate health care services in the country they are visiting; in the event they were to develop symptoms whilst overseas

HPTs can exceptionally consider the use of the Public Health Act to restrict travel on a case-by-case basis.

If a case or contact declares they intend to travel, the HPT should inform PHS as soon as possible by telephone and email (phs.zebr@phs.scot). PHS will liaise, where applicable, with the National Focal Point of the country that they are visiting.

The notification should include the:

• name of the individual
• date of birth
• email or phone contact details
• travel plans (dates, routes)
• destination in country (if known)

Venue or setting specific public health action

Settings with lower risk of transmission

Where it is identified that a community setting has been visited in the infectious period by a confirmed case, settings with lower risk of transmission (for example restaurants, bars or cinemas) do not require further action.

This means:

• no warn and inform
• no routine communication with setting
• no attempt to identify further contacts by discussing with setting

If asked for advice by an exposed setting, HPTs should provide the guidance on environmental cleaning and decontamination in non-healthcare settings.

Settings with a higher risk of transmission

Where the exposed setting is assessed as having a higher risk of transmission due to:

• prolonged skin-to-skin contact
• potential contamination with body fluids
• closed residential settings

The HPT should risk assess whether to attempt to identify exposed persons in the setting and whether to involve environmental health or IPC colleagues.

Examples of settings with a higher risk of transmission include:

• sex-on-premises venues
• massage and saunas
• health or social care
• prisons
• homeless shelters

A risk assessment should consider the:

• type and duration of contact during the exposure
• any contact or exposure of others to lesions
• vulnerabilities of those exposed
• time elapsed since the exposure

Vulnerable settings

Where the exposed setting is assessed as having a vulnerable population the HPT should risk assess whether to attempt to identify exposed persons in the setting and whether to involve other colleagues in the risk assessment through a problem assessment group (PAG).

Vulnerable settings include:

• children and young people (CYP) settings
• adult social care/residential settings
• prisons and immigration removal centres (IRCs)
• asylum seeker accommodations settings – for example, contingency or initial accommodation centres
• homeless accommodation settings, for example, hostels and night shelters
• domestic abuse refuges
• other communal settings used to house individuals for emergency or temporary accommodation

Additional guidance is available from PHS to support with risk assessment of exposed vulnerable settings.

Clusters of cases

Where clusters of cases are identified around a single setting then the HPT should consider additional actions including the potential for a warn and inform exercise.

Notify PHS of any mpox clusters:

Additional resources for higher risk settings

UKHSA provide additional guidance for:

• prisons and places of detention
• planning events and mass gatherings – this should be reviewed by HPTs to support public health management of local events
• environmental cleaning and decontamination in non-healthcare settings
• cleaning sex-on-premises venues

Blood, tissue, cell or organ donation

Where it is identified that a confirmed mpox case has made a blood, tissue or cell donation at any point during their infectious period then the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) should be advised by:

• email at nss.snbtsdcst@nhs.scot
• telephone on 0131 314 7391 or 0131 314 5520 (business hours)
• calling the SNBTS on call consultant on 0131 314 1794 (out of hours)

Donation or receipt of organs or other medical donations – for example sperm donation – should be followed up with the clinicians or services responsible.

A full position and evidence statement on mpox and blood, tissue, cell or organ donation is available from the Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee.

Animals (including pets)

There is a risk that animals could become infected with MPXV through contact with an infected person and spread the virus to other animals or people. 

For this reason, cases should:

• avoid close contact with pets and other animals as much as possible
• practice good hygiene before and after any contact with animals

The highest risk of transmission is to pet rodents if present – more so than to rabbits, dogs, cats or ferrets (or related animals).

Keeping rodents in a cage where they cannot be accessed by people from outside the household for 21 days is recommended. This is particularly important where there are human cases who have had close and prolonged contact with the animal or its bedding and/or litter and where there are clinically susceptible individuals still present in the household.

APHA may consider testing of the animal, cage or bedding if animals develop clinical signs.

The Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance (HAIRS) assessment of the risk to the UK human population of mpox infection in a canine, feline, mustelid, lagomorph or rodent UK pet is available online.

Contacting APHA

The Animal and Plant Agency (APHA) should be contacted by the HPT if any animals are present within a household (or in other regular contact with) a confirmed case of mpox.

The local Field Services offices should be the initial point of contact.

Pre and post-exposure vaccination

Guidance on the use of vaccination as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis is available in the Green Book chapter 29. More information can be found on the UKHSA page for healthcare practitioners.

Eligibility for post-exposure vaccination is as per the UKHSA contact tracing guidance for mpox.

Advice to help lower the chance of passing mpox infection to others during post-exposure vaccination clinics can be found in the UKHSA guidance on reducing risk of transmission at vaccination clinics.

Pre-exposure vaccination

Individuals in the priority groups should be offered pre-exposure vaccination.

This is outlined in the CMO(2022)29 letter.

Post-exposure vaccination

Post-exposure vaccination for contacts should follow the advice in the UKHSA contact tracing guidance for mpox.

PHS does not need to be informed before post-exposure vaccination of contacts.

Indications for vaccination

Previous mpox infection is not a contraindication to vaccination.

However, while there is constrained vaccine supply, vaccination of confirmed cases at ongoing risk should be deferred until they are fully recovered, and vaccine supply allows. 

Whether prior mpox infection protects against future infection is currently unknown but based on analogy from smallpox infection and from live smallpox vaccine, it seems likely that re-infection will be unusual, particularly in the short term.

Recording vaccination

Vaccinations delivered in sexual health services should be recorded on the National Sexual Health System (NaSH), where available.

In sexual health services where NaSH is not available, and in other settings where vaccine is being administered – such as occupational health – vaccination should be recorded as per local arrangements.

Find out about the process for requesting vaccine on SHPIR (login required).

Workforce education resources

Healthcare professionals can access vaccine-specific training and other education resources for mpox on TURAS.

Public vaccination information

Members of the public can access:

• vaccination information for mpox on NHS inform
• a PHS information leaflet

Infection prevention and control

Healthcare settings

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) precautions for healthcare settings are those as outlined in mpox guidance in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) A-Z of pathogens.

Households

Advice for mpox cases isolating at home, including household cleaning and disposal of household waste, is available from UKHSA.

Community settings

UKHSA advice on environmental cleaning and decontamination in non-healthcare settings is available.

Handling the deceased

For managing infection risks when handling the deceased, see Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance for the mortuary, post-mortem room and funeral premises, and during exhumation.

Public information

Public information on mpox is maintained on NHS inform.

Advice on mpox and international travel is on Fit for Travel.

Other public facing information on mpox can be found on the Public Health Scotland website.

Abbreviations