Full list of countries where mpox cases reported as UK tourists issued new travel advice

The Foreign Office has issued new travel advice after an mpox outbreak has been declared as a public health emergency of international concern.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) named the increasing number of mpox cases reported in Africa as a major concern. Mpox is an infection caused by the mpox virus, with two distinct strains.

Clade 1 mpox has been associated with a higher risk of people with the infection developing severe illness or dying, compared to Clade 2, according to Travel Health Pro - a subdivision of the Foreign Office. In May 2022, an outbreak of Clade 2 mpox occurred globally. This outbreak predominantly affected gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

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Prior to 2024, Clade 1 mpox had only been reported in 5 countries in central Africa, explains Travel Health Pro. But 'recent cases in additional countries within central and east Africa mark the first known expansion of its geographical range, heightening the risk of spread beyond the region'.

In an update last week, on September 5, Travel Health Pro issued a new list of countries that have been affected by the strain of concern. The body said: "In 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reported its highest number of Clade 1 mpox suspected and confirmed cases on record. High case numbers have continued to be reported in 2024.

"Since July 2024, confirmed cases of Clade 1 mpox have also been reported for the first time in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with some having links to the DRC. Sweden and Thailand have reported confirmed cases of Clade 1 mpox in a traveller with links to countries