Mpox Travel Advisory Reissued in April 2025

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed an ongoing outbreak of clade I mpox in Central and Eastern Africa. Previous data indicates that about 15 million people visit central Africa each year.

As of April 1, 2025, the CDC updated its Level 2 Travel Health Advisory saying, 'There is ongoing person-to-person transmission of mpox in Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.'

Person-to-person transmission has occurred through various means during this outbreak.

There are two types of Monkeypox virus. Historically, clade I has been associated with a higher percentage of people with mpox developing severe illness or dying, compared to clade II. The global outbreak of clade II began in May 2022.

The CDC writes, 'Mpox vaccination is recommended for people who anticipate the following sexual activities during travel to countries with ongoing person-to-person transmission of clade I mpox.'

In the United States, the Bavarian Nordic JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®, IMVANEX®) two-dose vaccine is commercially offered at various travel clinics and pharmacies in April 2025. 

Those eligible for mpox vaccination should get two doses of JYNNEOS at least 28 days apart, before visiting an mpox outbreak area.