Globally, new mpox cases have declined substantially since the outbreak peak last year, however transmission continues in many countries without previously documented transmission, primarily affecting the MSM community. As the festival season nears in Europe, the WHO wants attendees to be aware of, and minimise, the risk of mpox, as well as other vaccine-preventable STIs (including human papillomavirus and Hepatitis A and B). Six EU countries have reported mpox cases since late March (Poland, UK, France, Portugal, Spain and Malta), and ‘the possibility of further re-introductions from outside the Region, either from endemic areas or newly affected countries, is likely’. Read more
Advice for travellers
Closely related to the smallpox virus, mpox (monkeypox) was mainly found in Central and Western Africa, with rodents the suspected reservoir, and 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 in the affected African countries. An outbreak of mpox in countries without previously documented transmission began in 2022. Read more information on the 2022 global outbreak from the WHO. Read more on mpox.
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.