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Going to Birmingham Pride this weekend? UKHSA West Midlands has some words of advice on how to keep each other safe - by Katie Spence, Regional Deputy Director for the UKHSA West Midlands

As we approach Birmingham Pride this weekend, it’s important that anyone planning to come to the festival is fully aware of the ongoing monkeypox outbreak, and what you can do to protect yourself and others.

We continue to see cases of monkeypox across the West Midlands region, with the majority being in Birmingham. Most cases we are currently seeing are in gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men.

UKHSA West Midlands is working closely with Birmingham LGBT, local NHS colleagues, Birmingham City Council, Umbrella and other sexual health services and public health partners to help people understand the signs and symptoms of monkeypox and how they can reduce their risk of catching or passing on the infection. We also want to make sure people know how important it is to take up the offer of vaccination, for those who are eligible.

What we know about the current outbreak is that the infection is being passed on mainly via close contact in sexual networks. Although monkeypox isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it can be passed on via close contact during sex – but also by touching, hugging, kissing, and sharing towels or bedding.

In the current outbreak, we know that those with more sexual partners or who attend events at sex on premises venues are more likely to come into contact with the virus.

Vaccination is being prioritised for those people who are at higher risk of getting monkeypox.

It’s important to remember that no vaccine is 100% effective and, while the vaccine may not always prevent someone from getting monkeypox, the symptoms experienced are likely to be milder in those who have been vaccinated.

The vaccine also takes time to work. Typically, protection will start to build after a few days and should reach the highest level by about four weeks.

That is why it’s important to look at other ways to protect yourself and others. Please continue to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox – even if you have had the vaccine. Common signs and symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and the development of a new rash. This could be a single blister-like spot (or a small number of spots) on the genitals, anus and surrounding area, lesions in the mouth and symptoms of proctitis – anal or rectal inflammation with pain or bleeding.

Symptoms can vary and not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. Please check yourself before you have sexual contact or attend any events.

Pride is a time for the whole community to celebrate, but there are some precautions you can take to make it a safe weekend. If you are hooking up with someone new, it’s a good idea to share contact details – that way you can get in touch if you develop monkeypox symptoms, to allow others to receive treatment as soon as possible. Symptoms can take up to 3 weeks to appear, so keep checking yourself after sex.

Be mindful that there are many causes of spots and rashes, so please be kind and considerate to others that may have them.

Although close contacts of confirmed cases no longer need to isolate for 3 weeks, if you have been in close contact with someone with monkeypox, please take a break from close contact with others. This will help limit the chances of you passing on the virus if you do have it.

If you do have symptoms, call a sexual health clinic so they can arrange for you to visit safely, or call NHS 111. Don’t go to parties or events until you are sure, as it can take up to 21 days for contacts of someone infected to identify the virus. Keep informed and use trusted sources for information, such as Umbrella, NHS, UKHSA or your local sexual health service.

Thanks to people’s efforts to take precautions, come forward for vaccination, look out for signs and symptoms and access services, we are starting to see a decline in numbers of monkeypox cases in many areas of the country. Let’s keep this going and continue to protect each other.

Naturally, monkeypox is not the only thing to consider. To protect yourself from STIs, the best advice is to practice safe sex, and if you have unprotected sex – especially with someone new, get tested as soon as possible afterwards.

If you feel unwell in any way, please sit this one out – you don’t want to pass on any other infections, including COVID-19.

Have a happy, safe and healthy Birmingham Pride.