Health leaders are urging people to be aware of monkeypox, including signs and symptoms, ahead of Manchester Pride later this month.

As of Monday, August 8, fewer than five cases had been confirmed in Oldham, with 51 in Manchester and 161 across the whole North West.

More than 2,000 cases have been detected in London.

While anyone can get monkeypox, the majority of cases identified in the UK are among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM), with the infection being passed on mainly through close contact, including sexual contact, between people.

Monkeypox can be passed on from person to person through:

  • Any close physical contact with monkeypox blisters or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling, or holding hands).
  • Touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with monkeypox.
  • The coughs or sneezes of a person with monkeypox when they're close to you.

David Regan, director of public health for Manchester, speaking on behalf of the ten Greater Manchester directors of public health, said: “While the risk of monkeypox remains low, we are still seeing cases across Greater Manchester, mainly in Manchester and Salford.  

“We are encouraging people to familiarise themselves with symptoms.

"If you have been in contact with someone who has monkeypox, or you think you have symptoms of monkeypox such as a rash with blisters, and have aches, a fever and swollen glands, you should contact your usual sexual health clinic or NHS 111 for a confidential conversation.

“Everyone deserves to have a safe and fun Pride, so before attending any group events including bars, clubs and outside events, people should check themselves for monkeypox symptoms, including rashes and blisters.

“If you have monkeypox symptoms, even just one spot, please stay at home and avoid close contact with other people until you’ve been given advice by a healthcare professional.

“It can take up to three weeks for symptoms to appear after being in contact with someone with monkeypox, so stay alert for symptoms after you have intimate, sexual contact including kissing. If you’re hooking up with someone new, get each other’s details.”

Due to a limited vaccine supply nationally, sexual health services, including across Greater Manchester, are currently contacting people who are at highest risk of monkeypox to offer them an opportunity to get vaccinated.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recommends that the vaccination is offered to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men at highest risk of getting monkeypox (for example if people have multiple partners, participate in group sex or attend ‘sex on premises’ venues, people with a recent bacterial sexually transmitted infection and those eligible for PREP, the preventative drug for HIV transmission), people who have had recent close contact with someone infected with monkeypox, and healthcare workers caring for and due to start caring for a patient with the virus.

It is hoped that by offering the vaccine to these individuals together with sharing general advice and information to avoid getting and passing on monkeypox, the overall spread of infection will reduce.

People who are known to sexual health services and eligible for a vaccine have been invited by phone call or text message to book an appointment or attend an invite-only walk-in clinic on a specific day to receive a vaccine, with further invites being made.

Clinics are being held across Greater Manchester with a range of venues, dates, and times to encourage uptake with nearly 1,000 vaccinations given so far.