The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory recommending that travelers to countries where a certain type of mpox is spreading should be fully vaccinated beforehand. The clade I strain of mpox, also known as monkeypox, has caused outbreaks in eastern and central Africa, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a public health emergency of international concern. The CDC advised that U.S. travelers, especially those anticipating sexual exposure in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other central and eastern African countries, should receive the Jynneos smallpox vaccine.
The CDC highlighted that a significant number of clade Ib mpox cases among adults have been linked to sexual contact, including ongoing transmission in countries where the virus is not typically found. While there have been no cases of the clade I mpox strain in the United States, the country continues to deal with the clade II mpox outbreak that began two years ago. The agency noted that clade I infections tend to be more severe than clade II infections, but recent data suggest that previous severity estimates may have been too high.
Travelers to regions affected by the clade I mpox outbreak are advised to consult healthcare providers about vaccination. Additionally, healthcare providers should inform travelers about the risk of mpox exposure through sexual contact and emphasize that the virus is not transmitted through casual contact in public spaces. In the first mpox outbreak, males engaging in sexual activity with other males were deemed to be at higher risk, but the CDC’s alert emphasizes caution for all individuals traveling to central and eastern Africa, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
In Congo, a new strain of mpox that may spread more easily has been identified, posing additional challenges in areas already strained by conflict and displacement. Congo has reported a significant number of mpox cases in Africa this year, with over 21,000 out of the 25,093 confirmed and suspected cases. Mpox, a zoonotic disease, causes milder symptoms than smallpox but can still be fatal. The virus primarily spreads through sexual contact and close physical contact.
Overall, mpox outbreaks in Africa have resulted in over 720 deaths, underscoring the importance of vaccination and preventive measures. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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