Although The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling monkeypox a “public health emergency of international concern,” Globe Aware volunteers can be relieved to know it does not impact travel, according to health experts. Still it's important to learn the facts about this virus, and practice precaution.
Monkeypox virus declared a public health emergency: How does this impact travel?
Bill Fink
The Points Guy
July 23 2022
It’s official. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined monkeypox constitutes a global health emergency, calling it a “public health emergency of international concern” due to a multi-country outbreak.
But will it impact travel?
The short answer from the health experts we’ve talked to is “no,” but let’s dive into the facts.
According to the WHO, anyone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox or has signs and symptoms compatible with the virus infection should avoid any travel until they are no longer considered a public health risk.
Most of the nearly 17,000 monkeypox cases reported so far are in Europe.
Nearly 3,000 have been reported in the U.S., but the WHO and local doctors caution that these numbers may be much lower than actual figures due to underreporting.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest news on the disease and what impact it may have on global travel.
What is the potential monkeypox impact on travel?
Although a monkeypox vaccine is available, there are no requirements to be vaccinated against it in order to travel. But travelers should be aware of areas with high infection rates. You can check this map to see rates by country.
“For most travelers, this should not cause alarm, but it is worth understanding the risk numbers in the travel destination,” says Dr. Jenny Yu from Healthline. (Healthline is owned by Red Ventures which also owns The Points Guy). “As this is a re-emerging disease, not all healthcare providers are familiar with diagnosis and treatment, which may delay diagnosis, something to consider when traveling. People should take the necessary precautions but should not panic from a travel standpoint.”
The U.K., Belgium and Germany, all with increasing monkeypox numbers, have issued 21-day quarantine recommendations for people diagnosed with the disease. However, such quarantines are thought to be inefficient for preventing its spread due to the virus’s long incubation period, especially when compared to COVID-19, according to a Cowen market analysis report.
Still, monkeypox “shouldn’t be an issue when traveling,” says New York-based Dr. Jake Deutsch, a former emergency room physician at Mt. Sinai Hospital who now runs a private practice focused on men’s health. Deutsch says most travelers shouldn’t worry, “unless you’re engaging in higher risk behavior while in countries with high infection rates.”
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a virus “characterized by a fever, swollen lymph nodes and a widespread rash,” according to a guide by Healthline. The monkeypox-induced rashes can cause many unsightly and sometimes painful lesions, particularly on the face and extremities.
The monkeypox disease was first identified in the 1950s among monkeys, with the first human case occurring in the Congo in the 1970s. Before the recent outbreak, the virus was mainly active in rural regions in central and western Africa.
Symptoms of monkeypox are similar (but milder) than those of smallpox. After contracting the virus, people may suffer from fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and chills within five to 21 days. Then the distinctive rash and lesions can appear 1-3 days later, primarily around the face, hands, feet and genitals.
Monkeypox symptoms “generally last two to four weeks and go away without treatment,” according to Healthline. There are potentially more dangerous complications in rare situations, leading to fatalities in 3% to 6% of cases in past outbreaks, according to the WHO.
However, WHO data also says the recent outbreak has only resulted in five deaths worldwide.
But in terms of the monkeypox outbreak, “what we’re seeing now is only the tip of the iceberg,” says Dr. Deutsch. He believes the numbers are being underreported due to the stigma around the illness and the fact that it can be sexually transmitted.
Help reduce the stigma of Monkeypox (MPV)! Anyone can get MPV, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. Seek medical attention if you have a few or unexplained rash and have open conversations with your sexual partners about your status and theirs. pic.twitter.com/4w88Y9o37S
— Callen-Lorde Community Health Center (@CallenLorde) July 23, 2022
Plus, he says “we’re seeing it travel across borders for the first time … it’s expanding across Europe, in Spain, in the U.K., in Germany, everywhere people are going this summer, the virus is going, too.”
How can I avoid monkeypox?
Monkeypox spreads through direct contact and exchange of fluids between humans, or humans and animals. Respiratory droplets can spread the disease, but this is “very rare,” according to Dr. Deutsch. Blood, bodily fluids, the mucous from lesions, and even bedding and clothes infused with those substances can spread the virus, according to a CDC advisory.
To help lower your chances of catching monkeypox, the CDC strongly recommends these important steps:
- Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people with a rash that looks like monkeypox.
- Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
- Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox.
- Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
General health recommendations apply as well: wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when in a public setting. To be safe, avoid close contact with others and reduce skin-to-skin contact.
According to Dr. Deutsch and multiple studies, the virus has been expanding rapidly in the gay male community. “We’re trying to get the word out, educate higher risk people about the risks for spreading, about getting vaccinated and the viral treatments that are available,” he said.
No recommendations have been issued suggesting mask-wearing or vaccination for the general population related to monkeypox except in the case of healthcare workers directly dealing with patients or those exposed to it already. The U.S. is currently stockpiling both vaccines and antiviral treatments in case of more widespread and severe outbreaks.
Bottom line
While we don’t yet know all the facts about it and its full impact on travel, monkeypox has been spreading rapidly enough for the World Health Organization to declare it a public health emergency.
People should avoid close contact when interacting with someone who may have the disease and follow other WHO guidelines.
While there are currently no travel restrictions or requirements, stay tuned to The Points Guy, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for news. We are keeping a close eye on this developing story.
Additional reporting by Clint Henderson and Rosemarie Clancy..
