Monkeypox is a rare infectious disease, but there are a number of cases in the UK. That number is rising.
Monkeypox can be caught from infected wild animals in parts of west and central Africa. It's thought to be spread by rodents, such as rats, mice and squirrels.
You can catch monkeypox from an infected animal if you're bitten or you touch its blood, body fluids, spots, blisters or scabs.
It may also be possible to catch monkeypox by eating meat from an infected animal that has not been cooked thoroughly, or by touching other products from infected animals (such as animal skin or fur).
Monkeypox can spread if there is close contact between people. through:
- touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash
- touching monkeypox skin lesions or scabs, particularly if your own skin has sores or cuts
- the coughs or sneezes of a person with the monkeypox rash