Full list of countries where mpox cases reported as UK tourists issued new travel advice

Monkeypox new disease dangerous over the world
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)


The Foreign Office has issued new travel advice after an mpox outbreak has been declared as a public health emergency of international concern.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) named the increasing number of mpox cases reported in Africa as a major concern. Mpox is an infection caused by the mpox virus, with two distinct strains.

Clade 1 mpox has been associated with a higher risk of people with the infection developing severe illness or dying, compared to Clade 2, according to Travel Health Pro - a subdivision of the Foreign Office. In May 2022, an outbreak of Clade 2 mpox occurred globally. This outbreak predominantly affected gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

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Prior to 2024, Clade 1 mpox had only been reported in 5 countries in central Africa, explains Travel Health Pro. But 'recent cases in additional countries within central and east Africa mark the first known expansion of its geographical range, heightening the risk of spread beyond the region'.

In an update last week, on September 5, Travel Health Pro issued a new list of countries that have been affected by the strain of concern. The body said: "In 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reported its highest number of Clade 1 mpox suspected and confirmed cases on record. High case numbers have continued to be reported in 2024.

"Since July 2024, confirmed cases of Clade 1 mpox have also been reported for the first time in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with some having links to the DRC. Sweden and Thailand have reported confirmed cases of Clade 1 mpox in a traveller with links to countries involved in the current Clade 1 outbreak.

"No Clade 1 mpox cases have been reported in the UK to date."

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It can cause flu-like symptoms including fever, muscle aches, and a skin rash or pus-filled lesions that can last two to four weeks.

The affected countries

As of 22nd August 2024, the countries in central and east Africa where Clade I cases have been reported are:

  • DRC

  • Republic of the Congo

  • Central African Republic

  • Burundi

  • Rwanda

  • Uganda

  • Kenya

  • Cameroon

  • Gabon

The countries where there may be a risk of Clade I mpox exposure (based on sharing a border with the DRC) currently include:

  • Angola

  • South Sudan

  • Tanzania

  • Zambia

Mpox was declared a global health emergency by the WHO this week
More countries are now on the list of those affected -Credit:AFP via Getty Images

Mpox symptoms and management

"Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the mpox virus," says the Travel Health Pro update. "Mpox can be transmitted when a person comes into close contact with an infected, human, animal or contaminated material.

"Person-to-person spread can occur through:

  • Direct contact with skin lesions or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact).

  • Contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) used by someone with mpox.

"While more information is emerging, there is a potential risk of mpox spreading if you are close to an individual with mouth lesions of mpox when they are coughing or sneezing.

"The first symptoms of mpox include:

  • a high temperature

  • a headache

  • muscle aches

  • backache

  • swollen glands

  • shivering (chills)

  • exhaustion

  • joint pain

"A rash or pus-filled lesions then usually appear 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. The rash (spots, blisters or ulcers) often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body.

"This can include the mouth, genitals and anus. The number of sores can range from one to several thousand."

Advice for travellers

Travel Health Pro advises to check the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice on whether it is advised to travel to your intended destination. This also includes information on entry requirements, safety and security.

Travellers should check the latest guidance on vaccination, malaria and other health risks, as well as checking with a health professional they are fit to travel. Pregnant and immunosuppressed people should check in particular, as they are known to be at a higher risk of severe infection.

Travellers are also advised to check their travel health insurance before departing.

Is there a vaccine?

"The UK does not currently recommend pre-travel vaccination for mpox. The JCVI continues to review latest data on the current Clade 1 mpox outbreak and will continue to update vaccination recommendations accordingly," says Travel Health Pro.

Refer to the Green Book - Immunisation against infectious disease for further information about vaccinations recommended prior to travel, adds the Foreign Office organisation.

A health worker walks past a mpox treatment centre in Munigi, eastern Congo -Credit:AP
A health worker walks past a mpox treatment centre in Munigi, eastern Congo -Credit:AP

How to reduce risk

Mpox can be spread through close contact of any kind, including through sexual and non-sexual contact, says Travel Health Pro.

"You can reduce your risk while travelling by taking sensible precautions to protect yourself from infection:

  • Reduce touch or sexual contact, especially with individuals with a rash.

  • Wash hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.

  • Avoid touching potentially contaminated items such as bedding/clothing or sharing eating utensils/cups, food or drink with a person who has, or may have, mpox.

  • Avoid animals when travelling and avoid eating or preparing meat from wild animals (bushmeat) or using products (creams, lotions, powders) derived from wild animals.

"For more information on the risk of Clade 2 mpox and sex, please see the public health advice for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men," advises Travel Health Pro.

"For advice for people living with HIV, see the British HIV Association (BHIVA) statement on mpox (monkeypox) virus."

When you return

"If you have just arrived at a UK airport or port of entry having recently travelled to any of the mpox affected countries, and have any new spots, blisters or ulcers, you should speak to a member of port or border staff to get advice," says Travel Health Pro.

"If you have visited one of the affected countries and develop symptoms within 21 days of returning to the UK, please isolate at home and call NHS 111 for advice, letting them know your travel history."

You can see current advice on the NHS mpox page.