Monkeypox may Provoke Travel Restrictions

The World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to declare monkeypox as an international emergency and when it does, travel restrictions are likely to go into place.

We have to wait and see whether the WHO convenes its ‘Emergency Committee.’ Even then, the outcome will be hard to predict because the committee will have to consider not only the seriousness of the disease but whether it is spreading across international borders.

Criteria For Emergency Declaration

A disease being present in different countries won’t automatically trigger an emergency declaration, especially if those countries can treat and contain the disease on their own.

Monkeypox - Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
Monkeypox infection is a zoonotic viral infection that usually lasts for 3 weeks. It is caused by the monkeypox virus and is characterized by rash or pox-like symptoms.

‘Health authorities in Europe and the U.S. confirmed cases of monkeypox, a potentially serious viral illness, as they consider whether to declare an international emergency.’

In 2013, the emergency committee declined to declare an emergency after MERS was reported in dozens of countries, primarily because most cases were confined to hospitals.

But monkeypox is a disease with an especially high mortality rate, so the committee will certainly consider the possibility that it is spreading undetected.

The WHO has convened its emergency committee nine times, and it has declared six international public health emergencies. The committee waited months before declaring an emergency for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and of course, came under scrutiny for delaying its response to COVID-19 in 2020. Those delays cost lives, so it’s possible a committee called together to consider monkeypox would be persuaded to move quickly this time.

Bon Voyage: Holiday Travel Tips to Stay Hale and Healthy This Christmas
Christmas season is here, are you ready to fly abroad this Christmas holiday? Then, it is important to protect your health from harmful disease causing-microorganisms and other dangers. Your health and safety must be the first priority for traveling. Relax, nothing can stop you from having a disease-free trip.

If an emergency is declared, the committee will also issue temporary recommendations to member states, and those will almost certainly caution against travel restrictions which, while helpful to limit spread initially, can devastate countries that rely on trade and tourism, especially those with fragile economies and limited health capacities.

More than $2 billion was lost in West Africa following the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak, due in part to travel and trade restrictions.

Travel Alert: Wash Your Hands at the Airport to Get Rid of Deadly Coronavirus
Traveling amid of Coronavirus outbreak may seem scary. However, following proper hand-hygiene techniques at airports can cut down the risk of spreading deadly coronavirus. Wash your hands to have a safe and germ-free travel.

Despite all that, however, travel restrictions have been the go-to response for many countries once an international emergency is declared, and the WHO doesn’t have a mechanism to force countries to comply with its recommendations beyond diplomacy or naming and shaming.

WHO Says 'Not Right Time for Vaccine Passports'
Vaccination against Covid-19 have started in several parts of the world. However, access to vaccines, especially by poor and middle income countries, has been a major issue. Therefore, it's not the right time to travel.

Source-Medindia

Monkeypox may Provoke Travel Restrictions - Here’s Why

The World Health Organization (WHO) has yet to declare monkeypox as an international emergency and when it does, travel restrictions are likely to go into place.

Criteria For Emergency Declaration