Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Key points
- There is an ongoing outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
- Infected animals such as rodents and primates can spread the virus to people (or other animals) when they bite or scratch. A person can also become infected by touching infected animals or from touching products that come from infected animals, including meat.
- People infected with mpox can spread the virus to others through the air when they cough, sneeze, or talk. The body fluids and skin sores of a person infected with mpox are also infectious.
- Travelers to the DRC can protect themselves from mpox by washing their hands often with soap and water and avoiding contact with wild animals and products made from wild animals. Travelers should also avoid contact with people who are sick.
Mpox is a rare disease caused by a virus. Mpox occurs throughout remote parts of Central and West Africa, often near tropical rain forests. People become infected with the mpox virus through contact with infected animals or humans (alive or dead) or with materials contaminated with the virus. Fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion are followed by a rash. Patients are usually ill for 2–4 weeks. Mpox is fatal in as many as 10% of people who get it.
What is the current situation?
Mpox is an ongoing risk in the DRC; currently there is an outbreak of mpox there.
What can travelers do to protect themselves?
If you are going to an area with mpox, you can protect yourself against infection by
- Washing hands often with soap and water
- Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Making sure your hands are clean if you do.
- Avoiding contact with
- People who are sick
- Materials (such as bedding) that have been in contact with a sick person or an animal
- Wild animals (alive or dead) and any products that come from those animals, including meat
If you feel sick and think you may have mpox
- Stay home. Except for seeking medical care, avoid contact with others.
- Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell the doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Clinician Information
When a patient presents to a health care facility with fever and vesicular or pustular rash, a combination of standard, contact, and airborne infection control precautions should be applied. If an airborne infection isolation room is not available, place the patient in a private room with the door closed. If you suspect mpox in a patient with an appropriate travel history, notify infection control personnel and your local health department immediately.
- Mpox Information for Clinicians
- Mpox Information for Veterinarians
- Smallpox & Other Orthopoxvirus-Associated Infections in CDC Yellow Book
This notice was originally posted January 2, 2020.