Mpox Travel Alert
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared outbreaks of mpox in Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Over 40 Countries Affected by the Mpox Outbreak: Mostly in Africa
Since January 2024, Mpox outbreaks, driven in part by sexual transmission, have been reported in numerous African countries, including four with no previous cases. The affected countries include:
Burundi: Over 100 cases, Central African Republic: 28 cases, Côte d’Ivoire: 6 cases, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Over 14,000 cases, Kenya: 1 case, Republic of the Congo: Over 120 cases, Rwanda: 4 cases, South Africa: 24 cases, Uganda: 2 cases.
What is Mpox and How Is it Spread?
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus that is native to Central and West Africa (but has now spread globally) and is acquired through direct contact with bodily fluids, secretions, and lesion material from infected persons or animals or through consumption of inadequately cooked contaminated meat from infected animals (bush meat).
Symptoms
Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and blistering rashes, which begin on the face and may spread to other body parts. Blistering rashes may start in the genital area if the infection was acquired by sexual contact.
Consequences of infection include bacterial infections, dehydration, and brain inflammation. For the most usual strain, death may occur in about 1% of cases.
How to Prevent Mpox
Travelers should avoid close contact with persons with symptoms consistent with Mpox and observe hand and respiratory hygiene. Also, travelers should observe safer-sex practices. Lastly, travelers should avoid consumption of bushmeat and direct contact with rodents and other animals in affected areas. Vaccination should be considered for high-risk persons and persons with known, suspected, or anticipated exposure to someone with Mpox.
The Vaccine is Available for High-Risk Individuals
A vaccine is commercially available, that is safe for use in all adults regardless of health status and is given as a 2-dose schedule (4 weeks apart). Vaccination is recommended for high-risk individuals and those with known or anticipated exposure to mpox. High risk behaviors include contact with infected persons [including sexual contact, mainly men having sex with men], infected animals [dead or alive], or rodent droppings or handling or consuming inadequately cooked bush meat.
Duration of vaccine protection following a completed series is about 2 years. A booster dose is recommended every 2 years for those at continued risk because of their occupation.
TravelBug Health does not currently administer the the vaccine, but it is available through the County Health Dept.
Risk of Mpox for Travelers
Despite the high number of total global Mpox cases, the actual incidence in most countries is extremely low. It is usually acquired through close intimate contact with an infected individual. Local residents of these countries are also at increased risk by having contact with ill mammals or persons.
If you have questions about your specific itinerary and the Mpox outbreak, please contact our team at TravelBug Health. Learn more about Mpox here.
