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After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the variant of Mpox known as monkeypox a global health emergency, some countries have begun implementing measures at international airports and seaports to enable travelers to travel safely as the new variant of Mpox spreads worldwide.
The WHO has declared Mpox a global health emergency for May 2022 because the virus has spread to over seventy countries and, according to reports, it could be transmitted through sexual contact.
The new variant, discovered as clade 1b, is more deadly and more easily transmissible than the clade 2b variant discovered in 2022.
So far, African countries are the countries with the most infections, with 2,863 cases and 517 deaths reported there, while the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 16,789 cases, including 511 deaths, the highest number in the world, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
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Mpox travel measures across borders
Although many European countries have not yet imposed travel restrictions on their citizens, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Friday recommended vaccination and recommended that countries take measures to contain the Mpox C1 variant, which does not affect countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.
The United States says it will continue to work closely with African governments, the African CDC and the WHO to ensure an effective response to the current Mpox outbreak, while advising citizens to get vaccinated despite never reporting a case to the United States.
Asian countries such as China, Thailand and Malaysia have implemented strict travel measures similar to those imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
China is imposing strict border controls on patients who show symptoms and are not allowed to travel to countries where Mpox is prevalent or who have Mpox.
Chinese airport authorities are asking for surveillance questions to isolate those affected so they can arrange testing and treatment.
Chinese authorities also do not warn their citizens against traveling to certain parts of Congo and the Central African Republic due to security concerns unrelated to MPOX.
Currently, India and Pakistan have not taken strict measures, but authorities plan to start testing travelers at their airports.
Meanwhile, in African countries, South Africa has started screening travelers at airports, while Kenya has started testing and only mild cases have not yet been identified.
Nigeria requires all travelers wishing to travel to certain parts of Africa to complete a declaration form at the airport or online.
Is Mpox treatable?
According to the World Health Organization, cases occur mainly in East African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
There are no vaccines available. WHO recommends using MVA-BN, LC16 or ACAM2000 vaccines. Mpox vaccines provide protection against infection and severe disease, but you must take care of yourself to avoid contracting and spreading the virus.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, patients must receive two doses of the vaccine for the best possible protection, with the second dose given four weeks after the first dose.
How to protect your body from Mpox
Recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the UK National Health Service and the WHO include:
- Avoid contact with people who have recently been infected with the virus or those who may be infected. Wear a face mask if you have close contact with someone who is showing symptoms.
- Use condoms and watch for symptoms if you have recently changed sexual partners. Avoid contact with animals that may carry the virus. This includes sick or dead animals and especially those with a history of infection, such as monkeys, rodents and prairie dogs.
- Practice good hand hygiene, especially when you come into contact with infected or suspected infected animals or people. For example, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Use personal protective equipment when caring for patients with confirmed or suspected monkeypox infection.
- Only eat well-cooked meat.
