Should you travel to Europe during the monkeypox outbreak?

European countries have not yet introduced any restrictions on monkeypox-related travel – Photo: SCHENGEN VISA

On May 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the world had recorded a total of 131 cases of monkeypox virus. This does not include tourists, or those engaged in travel activities. This is seen as a pretty good sign for the tourism industry in Europe.

According to WHO, monkeypox has been confirmed in European countries such as Denmark, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden. In addition, the US and Canada have also recorded many cases.

However, the news site Euronews said that these European countries have not yet introduced any restrictions on travel or participation in tourism – travel activities.

Meanwhile, disease prevention is currently being handled by most European countries in the form of 21-day isolation with infected patients or close contacts. Euronews let me know.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the risk of infection with this disease in the community is relatively low. However, the CDC also advises travelers to exercise caution when participating in travel services.

Currently, the CDC has issued a number of recommendations for travelers to travel, including that visitors should avoid contact with wild animals. Especially do not touch mammals (mice, squirrels) or primates (monkeys, apes). In addition, visitors also avoid using or consuming food or products derived from wildlife.

In addition, the CDC also recommends that travelers wash their hands often with soap and water, if soap and water are not available, use alcohol with a concentration of at least 60 degrees to disinfect hands. Also, make sure your hands are clean before touching your face. Visitors are also advised not to have close contact with sick people.

With summer coming to a close with lots of cultural activities – festivals, WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge warned that “as we enter the summer with festivals, parties can have crowding will lead to an acceleration of the spread of the disease.”

According to WHO, people with monkeypox have symptoms such as headache, fever over 38.5^oC, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, coma.

Monkeypox is a rare disease, similar to smallpox, and usually has mild symptoms. Common symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, and rash.

There are two main strains of the smallpox virus, the Congo strain and the West African strain. Of these, the Congo strain usually causes more severe disease, with a mortality rate of about 10%, and the West African strain is about 1%.

There is currently no vaccine for monkeypox, but UK health officials say the smallpox vaccine is still effective.