Preventing Monkeypox While Traveling

Traveling

Current outbreaks

There are two types of monkeypox, clade I and clade II. Regardless of clade, monkeypox can be spread, treated, and prevented the same way.

If you're traveling to a country where monkeypox is spreading, learn more about how to prevent it. Some people are at higher risk for monkeypox and should receive two doses of monkeypox vaccine before traveling.

Before traveling to an area with monkeypox spread

• Consider travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Learn more about which activities may increase your risk of exposure when you travel to a country where monkeypox is spreading
• Visit a healthcare provider to discuss prevention and risk reduction strategies.
• If eligible, get vaccinated for monkeypox before you travel.
• Stay up to date on CDC Travelers' Health recommendations.

Avoid monkeypox while traveling

• Avoid any rash you see on others and consider minimizing skin-to-skin contact. This is particularly important at a rave, party, or club where there is minimal clothing and where there is direct, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have sex with someone with monkeypox.
• Do not share eating utensils, dishes, plates, or cups with a person with monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with monkeypox.
• If you're caring for someone with monkeypox, maintain distance, don't directly help the person with monkeypox with feeding or drinking, and be sure to wear personal protective equipment like gloves, a gown, and goggles if you must be around them.
• In areas where monkeypox is endemic (found regularly) avoid contact with animals that can carry the virus that causes monkeypox, such as rodents and primates.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after you use the bathroom.

Vaccination

If you are traveling, CDC recommends vaccination if you are eligible, which includes people who plan to travel to a country with an monkeypox outbreak and anticipate participating in certain sexual activities.

Get vaccinated for monkeypox before you travel. If possible, get your first dose of the monkeypox vaccine at least 6 weeks before traveling. Get the second dose 4 weeks later. It takes about 2 more weeks to get the best protection against monkeypox.

If you get sick with monkeypox during or after travel

• Seek medical care immediately if you develop new, unexplained skin rash (lesions on any part of the body), with or without fever and chills, and avoid contact with others.
• Tell your doctor where you traveled for the last 21 days before you developed symptoms.

If you have monkeypox, do not travel

• Isolate at home or in another location until your symptoms are gone and your rash has healed; this means all scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
• It's especially important to not travel if you have fever, mouth sores, or respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough.
• If you have monkeypox and must travel, cover your rash and wear a well-fitting mask.
• Take additional steps to prevent spread to others.
• Be aware of the public health laws and regulations at your international destination.
  • If you have been in contact with a person who has monkeypox and travel internationally, you may be subject to local public health laws and regulations.
  • If you test positive for monkeypox, you may be required to isolate until you are no longer considered contagious.
  • Check your destination's ministry of health or U.S. Embassy website to learn about requirements related to monkeypox at your destination.
• If you need medical care abroad, see Getting Health Care During Travel. Options for treatment might not be available in some countries.

Resources