THE number of confirmed monkeypox cases in Scotland has risen to 18, health officials have confirmed.

An update from Public Health Scotland (PHS) said this was the total as of noon on Sunday. It's an increase of one since the last update on June 17.

PHS added the majority of cases were among adults known to be gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and who also reported recent European travel.

Public Health Scotland said that so far “the majority of cases in the UK have been in men age 20 to 50”.

It noted the illness “appears to be generally mild and not life-threatening” with no reported deaths in the UK to date.

Monkeypox is not sexually transmitted but passed on through close contact.

UK health officials have urged LGBT groups and events to help share public health messages.

READ MORE: These are the monkeypox symptoms you should look out for