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Multi-country Monkeypox outbreak

27 May 2022

The World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have reported on the increased number of cases of monkeypox occurring in people in Europe, including the UK, and other countries around the world.

Monkeypox, is caused by the monkeypox virus, and occurs mainly in forested areas of central and west Africa. In endemic countries most human infections result from direct contact with infected animals, primarily rodents and monkeys. Person to person transmission can occur from droplet spread, contact with skin lesions or contaminated materials and personal items, for example clothing or bedding. The incubation period is around 5 to 21 days.

At the start of May 2022, cases with no recent travel to Central or West Africa, and no contact with infected animals have been reported globally. Transmission between people is thought to be occurring through close skin to skin contact (including during sexual contact), or through droplet spread during close contact with a person infected with monkeypox. To date the majority of these cases have been noted in the gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men (GBMSM) community.

Symptoms in people commence with fever, a flu-like illness and swollen glands followed by the development of a blistering skin rash, resembling chickenpox.

Advice to Travellers

Travellers to Central and West Africa should:

  • observe meticulous hand hygiene if visiting or caring for ill friends and relatives
  • avoid contact with primates and rodents and avoid consuming undercooked meat from these sources
  • wear protective clothing, including gloves, if involved in the slaughter or care of animals in these regions

Travellers to any destination who may be sexually active during travel should:

  • be aware of the risk of monkeypox, particularly if GBMSM
  • practise safe sex
  • avoid close, including sexual contact, with someone who is unwell and may have monkeypox

Travellers should be advised to seek medical help during or for 21 days after travel if they develop symptoms of monkeypox and have:

  • had close contact with someone who may have monkeypox, or
  • returned from Central or West Africa: these travellers should also be screened for malaria

For further information see Monkeypox, Sexual Health Risks and LGBT travellers