Mpox guidance for UK employers: what you need to know

British health chiefs have emphasised that the current risk of the mpox virus (previously named monkeypox) remains low in the UK. This being said, employers have been advised to develop an emergency response plan so that they are better prepared to manage a potential outbreak of the infectious disease, in addition to any new unreported strains.¹

Back in August of this year, Sweden's public health agency recorded the first known case of a more dangerous type of mpox outside the African continent, the Clade 1b variant. Shortly after, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the current outbreak of mpox in parts of Afrida a public health emergency of international concern.²

Currently, scientists don’t have the full picture of how more contagious this new variant might be, or if it poses a larger risk to the rest of the world. There have been just two reported cases of the Clade 1b strain outside of Africa, one in Sweden as mentioned previously, and one in Thailand.

While worldwide lockdowns on the scale of the Covid pandemic aren’t on any scientists’ cards, there are prevention measures businesses and the public can put into place now to further reduce our risk, increase preparedness and lessen any potential future spread.

Key takeaways

1. The risk of mpox in the UK is currently low, but employers are advised to prepare for potential outbreaks, including new strains.
2. A more dangerous mpox variant, Clade 1b, has emerged outside Africa, raising concerns despite limited global spread.
3. Employers should adopt prevention measures, including clear isolation protocols and educating staff to reduce stigma and transmission.

What is mpox?

Mpox is a contagious virus that can cause painful skin lesions, flu-like symptoms and can become fatal, with four in 100 cases resulting in death. It can be passed on through close physical contact with an infected person, through coughs and sneezes of a person with mpox when they are close by or sometimes through contaminated surfaces. In parts of west, central and east Africa, mpox can also be caught from infected rodents.³

As mentioned, the Clade 1b variant is causing the most concern due to its severity and higher mortality rate and has largely been spreading within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring African countries.⁴ At least 450 people died during an initial outbreak in the DR Congo and the disease has since spread to areas of central and east Africa.⁵

There have been a small number of cases of mpox in the UK since 2022. These have all been a type of mpox that may be milder Clade 2 mpox.

How to help prevent the spread of mpox

The WHO advises the following⁶ to help the symptoms and prevent mpox transmission to others. Infected individuals should:

• Contact their health care provider for advice.
• Isolate at home in their own, well-ventilated room, if possible, for the duration of the infectious period.
• Wash hands often with soap and water or hand sanitiser, especially before or after touching sores.
• Wear a well-fitting mask and cover lesions when around other people until the rash heals.
• Keep skin dry and uncovered (unless in a room with others).
• Avoid touching items in shared spaces and disinfect shared spaces frequently.

Advice for employers

There are various preventative measures that employers can take to minimise the risk of infectious disease from spreading, as recommended by IOSH magazine:

• Develop an established emergency response plan that includes clear communication channels, infection control measures and guidelines for quarantine and isolation.
• Prepare for when affected individuals must isolate at home. This includes setting up remote working policies, developing home quarantine procedures to remotely monitor the health of the affected individual and putting in place a phased return to work.
• Provide education and encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water, or the use of hand sanitiser, especially after contact with sores.
• Consider requiring affected workers to wear a mask and cover lesions when interacting with others until the rash fully heals.

Eradicating the stigma

Recognise the importance of eradicating the stigma and discrimination that mpox infection can cause in the workplace to support public health measures.

Stigma linked to mpox can undermine public health efforts or prolong a disease outbreak, as people may be more reluctant to come forward and seek care and treatment. For this reason, IOSH says it is important for employers to:

• Conduct awareness programmes to combat misconceptions and promote understanding, emphasising that mpox can affect anyone.
• Create a safe environment where employees can report symptoms and seek care without fear of judgment or backlash.