Countries all over the world have reopened to international travelers as COVID-19 seems to be in the rearview mirror. However, now, the headlines say that something called monkeypox is doing the rounds, potentially interfering with our plans. How serious is this and do people need to rethink their summer vacations?

Monkeypox rears its ugly head

As monkeypox hits the headlines, many people are wondering how they can avoid contracting the virus and also if they need to cancel that upcoming summer vacation.

Back on May 6, 2022, doctors diagnosed a British citizen, who had arrived from Nigeria two days earlier, as suffering symptoms of monkeypox. Meanwhile, the virus normally manifests a week or two after exposure. Among the symptoms are skin rashes, headache, fatigue, shivering, high fever, muscle pains and swollen lymph nodes.

What is monkeypox?

The virus transmits via bodily fluids or direct contact with a patient’s skin lesions. It can also be transmitted through towels, bedding, or clothing that has been in contact with bodily fluids. Moreover, the virus can also spread through respiratory droplets. However, such transmission is believed to only take effect after extended exposure. Those who catch the virus can expect it to last for around two to four weeks.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently issued an alert to travelers about monkeypox. Initially, the risk classification was level 1 (practice usual precautions). However, it then reached level 2 (practice enhanced precautions). Should the CDC up the risk classification to level 3, a warning would sound for people to “avoid nonessential travel.” Fortunately, it hasn’t reached that level yet.

Should travelers be concerned?

Lonely Planet quotes Holly Phillips, MD, Board Certified Internist in Manhattan talking about monkeypox. Phillips said that while the alert is disconcerting, especially as we are still facing ongoing COVID concerns, the risk to the general public remains extremely low at this time.

Monkeypox does not spread as readily as COVID or many other common viruses and the highly visible physical manifestations could lead to faster and more effective quarantining of affected individuals helping to control spread.

Countries with higher risk for the virus

Apparently as of May 30, 2022, 257 cases of monkeypox had been confirmed around the world. These include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

However, according to the CDC website, the virus is most common in central and western Africa, particularly the tropical forested areas. Their website states that while cases are rare among travelers, they have occurred.

Should you consider canceling plans?

Dr. Phillips stresses that travelers be aware of the virus and how it is spread, and take care to avoid known contacts. However, she did assure travelers that it isn’t necessary to “edit or cancel travel plans at this time.”

Meanwhile, monkeypox spreads to humans via bites or scratches from an infected animal. However, it can also spread via direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. Moreover, it can spread through materials such as bedding or towels that have been in contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. Travelers in countries where infections have been reported should ensure that hotel towels and bedding are clean.

What to do if you think you have symptoms when traveling

For now, the CDC recommends that anyone who has recently traveled to Central or West African countries and is suffering symptoms should immediately contact their healthcare provider.

The CDC further recommends avoiding the consumption of wild game meat and contact with either live or dead animals, particularly rodents. It further recommends keeping a distance from other people, especially those with skin lesions.

Is a vaccine available for monkeypox?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) website, there are a number of smallpox vaccines that are effective against monkeypox. In fact, an actual monkeypox vaccine was developed in 2019. Moreover, WHO is working with the vaccine manufacturer at this time to improve access to the vaccine.

However, WHO and other health organizations do not recommend the general public try to access the monkeypox vaccine. In the meantime, most travel insurance policies do cover monkeypox treatment. To be safe, check through your policy, or check with your travel insurance broker, to find out if you have coverage prior to travel.

As for Dr. Phillips, she recommends making yourself aware of the symptoms of the virus prior to travel. Should you think you have been exposed to the virus, or have any skin problems, get checked out. Basically, she said being informed and aware of local illnesses, including monkeypox or other viruses, is the best protection while traveling.

Prevention is always better than cure, so make sure nothing monkeys around with your summer vacation (pun intended).