The United States has dismissed rumors suggesting plans to impose travel restrictions on individuals from African countries due to the rising cases of monkeypox (Mpox).
John Nkengasong, the US Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, addressed these concerns during an online briefing, clarifying that there were no such plans in place. He emphasized that the U.S. government is not considering travel restrictions like those introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nkengasong reassured that the U.S. is committed to working with global health bodies, including the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), to control the spread of Mpox without resorting to restrictive travel measures. The U.S. is also providing an additional $35 million to help combat Mpox, adding to ongoing collaboration with Africa CDC and WHO to prevent further escalation.
In 2024, Africa has faced a significant rise in Mpox cases, with over 37,000 reported infections and 1,451 deaths. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the most affected, accounting for over 96% of the cases on the continent. The surge in infections poses a public health emergency, but global efforts, including those from the U.S., aim to contain the outbreak and prevent it from becoming a pandemic.
