The World Health Organization (“WHO”) recently declared its highest global alert level considering a surge in the number of cases of monkeypox (“Mpox”) and the threat of a new pandemic it poses. The virus has spread rapidly through thirteen (13) countries, including regions where cases had never been reported before, according to the WHO.
Pursuant to WHO’s indications, when a case of Mpox is suspected onboard a vessel, only authorized health personnel should be allowed to board and no one should be allowed to get off until the status of person/s with suspected symptoms has been determined.
Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease. Transmission to humans can occur through contact with infected wild animals. Person-to-person transmission of mpox can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions, such as in the mouth or on the genitals; this includes contact which is
- face-to-face (talking or breathing)
- skin-to-skin (touching or vaginal/anal sexual intercourse)
- mouth-to-mouth (kissing)
- mouth-to-skin contact (oral sex or kissing the skin)
- respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from prolonged close contact
- contaminated objects.
The incubation period can range from five (5) to twenty-one (21) days, while the most common symptoms include skin rashes or skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes (glands), fever, body aches, headache, chills, and exhaustion. The rash often starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, including the genitals: lesions may be very itchy or painful. Most people with mpox will recover within 2–4 weeks.
There is currently no vaccine against monkeypox. However, the smallpox vaccine is said to be 85% effective in prevention.
Prevention
Crews on vessels calling African ports should be instructed to avoid interacting with local fishermen or tradesmen approaching the crew directly and refrain from buying any meat from exotic or wild animals. In general, locals' access to the vessel should be kept to the necessary minimum. Skuld recommends to its members that they seek guidance from the company doctor and crewing department about vaccinating crew exposed to regular port calls in the countries affected by the outbreak.
As with many viral diseases transmitted by respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from prolonged close contact, the correct use of FFP2 masks and gloves when interacting with locals has proven to prevent any infection and exercise good hand hygiene.
More information is provided at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mpox