All You Need To Know About The Mpox Outbreak And How To Keep Safe While Travelling

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that the viral disease of mpox was a global public health emergency as cases surged on the African continent. Outbreaks have been reported in Burundi, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda while a new strain was discovered in Sweden. Here’s everything you need to know about mpox and how it’s affecting travel.

What Is Mpox?

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The virus was discovered in 1958 in Denmark in monkeys kept for research. It was first discovered in humans in 1970. Mpox can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick. The virus can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials or with infected animals. Laboratory confirmation of mpox is done by testing skin lesion material with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

There are broadly two main types of mpox—Clade 1, which is often more serious, and Clade 2. The Clade 1 virus is currently spreading. Person-to-person transmission of mpox can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on genitals; this includes contact which is:

• Face-to-face (talking or breathing)

• Skin-to-skin (touching or vaginal/anal sex)

• Mouth-to-mouth (kissing)

• Mouth-to-skin contact (oral sex or kissing the skin)

• Respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from prolonged close contact

For some people, the first symptom of mpox is a rash, while others may have different symptoms first. The rash begins as a flat sore which develops into a blister filled with liquid and may be itchy or painful. The lesions can appear on the palms of hands and soles of feet; the face, mouth and throat; and the groin and genital areas. Children, pregnant people and people with weak immune systems are at risk for complications from mpox.

How To Treat Mpox

The goal of treating mpox is to take care of the rash, manage pain and prevent complications. Early and supportive care is important to help manage symptoms and avoid further problems. Most people with mpox will recover within 2-4 weeks.  

Getting an mpox vaccine can help prevent infection. The vaccine should be given within four days of contact with someone who has mpox (or up to 14 days if there are no symptoms). It is recommended for people at high risk to get vaccinated to prevent infection with mpox, especially during an outbreak. This includes health workers at risk of exposure, men who have sex with men, people with multiple sex partners, and sex workers.

Several antivirals, such as tecovirimat, originally developed to treat smallpox have been used to treat mpox. Further studies are underway.

Travel Guidelines

Currently, the mpox outbreak is limited to some West and Central African countries. If you are travelling to places like Burundi, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda then consider changing your plans. Sweden and the Philippines reported one case of mpox while Pakistan reported two.

The Indian health ministry has asked all airports as well as authorities at land ports on borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain alert about incoming international passengers reporting mpox symptoms. Officials said there is no reported case of mpox in the country as of now. Currently, 32 laboratories in the country are testing for mpox.

Some nations have issued alerts against travelling to the affected countries on the African continent. The Japanese government put out a level-one alert against mpox for people visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the Central African Republic. Officials are urging people travelling to, or staying in, these African countries to exercise caution.

Meanwhile, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said travellers should consider getting vaccinated against mpox if they will be visiting affected areas in Africa. Other precautions that travellers can undertake include minimising skin-to-skin contact; avoiding contact with materials or objects that a person with mpox has used such as utensils, cups, bedding and towels; and washing hands often with soap and water.

A total of 18,737 suspected or confirmed cases of mpox were reported in Africa since the beginning of the year, according to the African Union’s Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development division on August 17.

(With inputs from multiple news sources)