Overview

WHO Regional Office for Europe and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have developed these factsheets intended for people living in prisons and for visitors, that summarise signs and symptoms, transmission routes and the risks associated with mpox in simple language. Key recommendations intended for health and security workers in detention facilities are conveyed to ensure the health and well-being of staff and people living in these facilities.

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. A multi-country outbreak observed since May 2022 has led WHO to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.