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Information regarding monkeypox is available on NHS Inform at: www.nhsinform.scot/monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection. It mainly occurs in central and west Africa. However since May 2022 some cases have been reported in UK, Europe and other international countries.

The risk of catching monkeypox in Scotland currently remains low.

Initial symptoms of monkey pox include fever or high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

A blister-like rash or small number of blister-like sores can develop usually 1 to 5 days after other symptoms, often beginning on the face or genital area, and may spread to other parts of the body.

The rash changes and goes through different stages, before finally forming a scab, which typically falls off over the course of a couple of weeks. Individuals are infectious from the point symptoms start until all the scabs fall off. During this time close contact with others must be avoided.

What to do if you're worried you have monkeypox

You should stay home, avoid close contact with others and seek help with medical services via phone (your GP or NHS24 out of hours on 111) until you're assessed.