WHO alert
On 14 August 2024 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox (monkeypox) outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) for the second time in two years. This is the highest level of alert the WHO can issue and underlines the organisation’s concerns about the rapid spread of the disease. Its decision was prompted by a significant increase in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and several neighbouring countries, including the emergence of a new strain of the virus which may cause a higher percentage of patients to become seriously ill or die compared to the global mpox outbreak in 2022. However, the WHO also emphasises that mpox “is not the new Covid-19” and the risk to the general public in countries outside the DCR and neighbouring countries remains moderate
Situation report
According to the WHO’S 2022-24 Mpox (Monkeypox) Outbreak: Global Trends report as of 28 August 2024, only a few African countries in addition to the DRC have so far reported mpoх cases of the new virus strain. Outside the African region, the number of reported cases remains low and primarily relate to individuals with travel histories to countries in Africa where mpox is circulating. However, as the situation may change quickly, we recommend ship operators to stay alert to the situation and follow the evolution of the ongoing outbreak
Travel advice
At the time of writing. WHO’s recommendation to its member states is to “refrain from implementing travel-related health measures specific for mpox, such as entry or exit screening, or requirements for testing or vaccination”. However, we are aware that some port authorities have started to implement stricter health and epidemiological measures to prevent the disease from spreading via international vessels. Current examples are Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela, and others may follow.
In order to avoid unnecessary delays when entering a port or conducting crew changes, ship operators and their masters should make frequent checks with local sources of information. e.g. vessel’s agent and/or Gard’s correspondents, to obtain the most up to date travel and port entry requirements available at any given time.
Crew information
It is also important to keep ship personnel informed about mpox through risk communication. eg, by displaying posters, videos, and message boards. Promotion of personal protective measures and risk-reducing behaviour is important, particularly before shoreside visits or crew changes. Key messages should include information about
Symptoms: Common symptoms of mpox include a rash lasting for two to four weeks, which may be started with or followed by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. The rash looks like blisters and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions, mouth, throat or the eyes. The number of sores can range from one to several thousand
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