Business travel? Take precautions against Mpox clade 1

Mpox clade 1 – the latest variety of monkeypox has finally hit India, via a 38-year-old Kerala man from Malappuram who returned from the United Arab Emirates. He tested positive last week. The rapid spread of this strain in Congo has led to the World Health Organisation announcing a health emergency in August 2024.

If you are someone who needs to travel for work frequently, here are some symptoms that will tell you if you have caught the infection:

The most obvious sign of Mpox, obviously is the rash which often shows after the fever starts. The rash spreads on the face, palms, soles, and other parts of the body. It has many stages of growth – macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs. Finally, it heals. The symptoms can last between five to 21 days and even stay for two to four weeks. Mpox leads to a swelling of lymph nodes and that is also how it is different from smallpox. The other general symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and exhaustion.

Precautions against Mpox clade 1 while travelling

To avoid catching the infection in hotels and airports, try and practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently. Keep your hands clean by using an alcohol-based sanitizer. It will be wise to avoid close physical contact with people displaying skin conditions, lesions or rashes that are akin to mpox. Avoid touching their bedding, clothes, or gadgets used by an infected person.

Next, try and wear protective gear. This is the first step for taking personal protection against any communicable disease. A face mask and gloves are the basic guards. If you are travelling to high-risk areas, get the smallpox vaccine which is likely to also help in preventing mpox. Avoid wild animals, especially monkeys and rodents which are said to be carriers of the virus. Keep updated on the mpox outbreak data in the city you are visiting and finally monitor your health closely for any symptoms and take swift action.