Twenty-two contacts of a Nigerian man diagnosed with monkeypox after his arrival in Singapore have been put into isolation for the duration of the 21-day incubation period. The man, who is from Delta state, is said to be in a stable condition - his diagnosis was confirmed on May 8. In late April he had attended a wedding in Nigeria’s Ebonyi State (200kms NE of Port Harcourt) and it is believed he may have contracted the virus by consuming bush meat, a recognised source of transmission. Read more
Advice for travellers
Closely related to the smallpox virus, monkeypox is mainly found in Central and Western Africa. Rodents are the suspected reservoir, with monkeys and humans as secondary or ‘spill-over’ hosts. People can be infected by eating undercooked ‘bushmeat’ or handling infected animals, making infection a low risk for travellers. Read more on monkeypox.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.