Community transmission of monkeypox in the United Kingdom, April to May 2022

Between 7 and 25 May, 86 monkeypox cases were confirmed in the United Kingdom (UK). Only one case is known to have travelled to a monkeypox virus (MPXV) endemic country. Seventy-nine cases with information were male and 66 reported being gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men. This is the first reported sustained MPXV transmission in the UK, with human-to-human transmission through close contacts, including in sexual networks. Improving case ascertainment and onward-transmission preventive measures are ongoing.

Automated summary

Between 7 and 25 May, 86 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the UK, with only one case known to have traveled to a monkeypox virus endemic country. The majority of the cases were males, among which 66 reported being gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men. This is the first sustained human-to-human transmission of monkeypox in the UK, occurring through close contacts, including sexual networks. Ongoing efforts are being made to improve case identification and prevent further transmission.