Monkeypox Alert: Countries to Avoid Due to Risk Factors

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Monkeypox: Countries at Risk Expand

The list of countries at risk for monkeypox continues to grow, prompting the Italian Ministry of Health to advise its citizens against participating in large events in areas where confirmed outbreaks of the Mpox Clade I virus exist.
This new variant has raised significant concerns within the global scientific community.

“The epidemiological situation in Italy is currently under control, as no cases of the new Mpox strain (Clade I) have been reported,” stated Mara Campitiello, head of the Department of Prevention at the Ministry of Health.
“Our offices maintain constant communication with international organizations to develop shared measures.”

Government Response

Yesterday, during a live video stream, Matteo Salvini assured that there will be no lockdown in Italy due to monkeypox, emphasizing that the situation is “fully under control” and there is no need for public fear.

On August 14, the WHO declared monkeypox a global health emergency for the second time in a few years, following a similar declaration from July 2022 to May 2023.
According to the latest report from the Ministry of Health, Italy has confirmed 1,056 cases of Mpox since May 2022, with no new cases reported in recent months, except for six cases registered between January and March of this year.

Monkeypox’s Global Impact

However, the situation in Africa remains concerning, where monkeypox has long been endemic.
Cases have also emerged in Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
Following reports from Sweden, Spain has now confirmed its first case.

Understanding Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a viral infectious disease presenting symptoms like fever, headaches, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
It is characterized by a rash initially appearing on the face and spreading across the body.
The virus has a mortality rate of about 10%, with the new variant spreading more easily.

This prompted the Ministry of Health to recommend avoiding crowded places if in countries that have reported monkeypox outbreaks, a list currently including all African nations.

Countries to Avoid

Here is the list of countries to avoid due to confirmed monkeypox outbreaks:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (2,638 confirmed cases and 14,151 suspected*)
• Burundi (61 confirmed cases and 165 suspected)
• Central African Republic (35 confirmed cases and 223 suspected)
• Congo (19 confirmed cases and 150 suspected)

*Data from the latest ECDC bulletin as of August 16.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces the most severe situation, with 511 deaths linked to the new Clade I variant.
Cases have also been identified in Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa (three deaths), Ivory Coast, and Kenya.

Outside Africa, health authorities have confirmed monkeypox cases in Pakistan and the Philippines in Asia, while the Americas have reported 49 cases in Mexico and eight in Argentina.
In Europe, transmission has been limited to one case each in Sweden and Spain; however, the Ministry of Health in Italy remains on high alert and reminds that a vaccine is available for Mpox.

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