Individuals from the UK traveling to a favored vacation spot need to exercise “extra precautions” due to the report of a highly contagious disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed an occurrence of mpox in Turkey. Mpox, which was earlier referred to as monkeypox, spreads through close contact with the blisters or scabs of an infected individual.
According to an update from Travel Health Pro: “On 23 August 2025, the World Health Organization confirmed a case of clade Ib mpox in Turkey, identified on 7 August 2025. The patient had reportedly traveled to the United Arab Emirates.” This strain of mpox has also been spotted in various parts of the globe.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa has been severely affected, with a total of 27,449 confirmed cases of both clade Ia and Ib. Earlier in the year, the UK reported nine cases, many involving individuals who had traveled back from Uganda.
Mpox symptoms generally present themselves between five and 21 days post-infection. Initial severe symptoms could include a high fever, severe headaches, muscle and back aches, swollen glands, chills, extreme fatigue, and joint pain.
A rash might appear anywhere on the body within one to five days after the initial symptoms manifest. The WHO cautions that young children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems, especially poorly managed HIV patients, face a higher risk of severe complications from mpox, which can be deadly.
However, most people recover within four weeks. The NHS has provided advice on how to stay safe from this “rare” illness:
- Washing your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
