Mpox in Qatar: What Do We Know About the Situation in Qatar?

This article has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated August 2024

Key Takeaways:

• No mpox cases reported in Qatar as of August 2024.

• No travel restrictions due to mpox have been implemented in Qatar.

• Qatar’s health system is prepared with vaccines, antivirals, and active surveillance measures.

What is Mpox?

Mpox (monkeypox) is a viral zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from infected animals to humans through direct contact. It predominantly occurs in tropical rainforest regions of Central and West Africa, with occasional cases reported in other areas due to exportation.

This viral infection is communicable and can spread between people primarily through close contact. Transmission can also occur from the environment to individuals via contaminated objects and surfaces that have been in contact with an infected person.

Mpox spreads from person to person through direct contact with skin lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as clothing, bedding, or medical equipment.

In most cases, people typically recover within two to four weeks without needing to be hospitalized. In some cases, however, Mpox can also be fatal in up to 6 percent of cases and could also be more severe in children.

On August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to use the term “mpox” as the official name for monkeypox.

Mpox in Qatar

As of August 2024, the new variant of the Mpox has not been reported in Qatar. 

Current cases

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) confirmed in a recent statement that Qatar is free of Mpox due to comprehensive public health measures. The ministry reiterated that professionals in both the public and private healthcare sectors are fully prepared to manage any suspected or confirmed cases—should it arise in the near future. 

Travel restrictions

Currently, the government of Qatar has not implemented any travel restrictions specifically to address the spread of Mpox. Authorities have not enacted any specific travel controls in response to Mpox at this time.

Mpox health guidelines for Qatar

The Qatari authorities have not yet issued any health guidelines for Mpox. The Ministry emphasized that community members are highly unlikely to contract the Mpox virus unless they have recently traveled to the endemic countries in the African region or been in close contact with someone who has the virus.

The health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is working with relevant authorities to ensure early detection of cases entering Qatar from affected countries.

Mpox symptoms 

The symptoms of Mpox, according to WHO, can vary in severity. Some of them are: 

• Mpox can cause a range of symptoms, including rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen glands, and sores on various parts of the body. Severe cases may lead to inflammation in the rectum and genitals.
• The symptoms of Mpox usually go away on their own within a few weeks with supportive care such as medication for pain or fever. However, some cases can be severe or lead to complications and even death. Newborns, children, pregnant people, and those with underlying immune deficiencies like advanced HIV disease are at higher risk of severe Mpox and death.
• Severe Mpox can cause inflamed sores, bacterial infections, and complications like encephalitis and pneumonia. Hospitalization, supportive care, and antiviral medicines may be necessary for recovery.
• Between 0.1% and 10% of people with Mpox have died. Death rates can vary due to factors like access to healthcare and underlying health conditions, including undiagnosed or advanced HIV.

Mpox prevention  

Here are the things that you can do to prevent the spread of Mpox:

• Keep your hands clean by washing them for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Prevent animal-to-human transmission.
• Avoid any contact with wild animals.
• Cook meat properly, as uncooked meat could also lead to Mpox.
• Avoid any objects that have been in contact with a sick animal.
• Prevent human-to-human transmission.
• Avoid contact with any person who has a rash.
• Avoid contact with any object in contact with someone who is sick. 

Mpox treatment 

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that vaccines initially developed for smallpox, a now-eradicated disease, have been adapted and approved for use against Mpox in various countries. Examples include the MVA-BN and LC16 vaccines, with the ACAM2000 vaccine available if others are inaccessible.

Tecovirimat, an antiviral developed for smallpox, was also approved for Mpox treatment by the European Medicines Agency in January 2022 under exceptional circumstances.

WHO currently recommends vaccination for individuals at risk, such as those in close contact with someone infected or those in high-risk groups, but mass vaccination is not advised. Travelers at risk may consider vaccination based on individual risk assessments with healthcare providers.