
Warnings Issues to Americans Traveling to Three Destinations
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued two travel warnings, advising Americans to practice "enhanced precautions" when traveling to three countries.
The CDC warned travelers of "confirmed and suspect cases" of diphtheria in the Kankan region of Guinea, as well as outbreaks of mpox in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
"I would be most concerned about diphtheria," a medical expert told Newsweek in part. "Diphtheria was a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the past and especially in children under the age of 15 years of whom 5 to 10 percent died."
The CDC, like the Department of State, releases travel warnings using a four-level system—with Level 1 indicating the lowest risk associated with the country, while Level 4 warns Americans not to go to a certain destination.
Why It Matters
Travel advisories highlight the need for Americans to stay aware and advised about the safety and health risks associated with countries when going abroad, particularly as diseases like mpox and diphtheria can spread rapidly and have significant health impacts if not properly managed.
File photo: Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, West Africa, seen from the top of the ruins of Hotel Ducor.
File photo: Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, West Africa, seen from the top of the ruins of Hotel Ducor.
jbdodane/Getty Images
What To Know
Mpox, commonly known as Monkeypox, can be transmitted via close or intimate contact, including sexual activity, as well as from contaminated bedding, clothing, or dishware, and through contact with wild animals.
Symptoms often include fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. There is an available vaccine for the disease, which the CDC has advised certain Americans to have.
The CDC recommends that all travelers engaging in activities such as new sexual partnerships, massages, commercial sex venues, or large gatherings consider the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccination for Mpox a few weeks before travel.
In its advisory on Sierra Leone and Liberia, the CDC said that outbreaks of Clade II mpox, one of the two types of mpox, have been confirmed in both countries.
The outbreaks have affected both males and females equally, contrasting the 2022 global spread that primarily impacted men who have sex with men.
Travelers are also advised to avoid contact with those who appear symptomatic and to avoid bushmeat or wild animal exposure.
Meanwhile, diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause severe respiratory problems and, if untreated, may be fatal in serious cases. It is transmitted via respiratory droplets, i.e. coughing and sneezing, and skin contact.
For those planning on visiting Guinea, especially in the Kankan region, the CDC has advised travelers to ensure their diphtheria vaccination is current and to discuss booster shots with their healthcare providers.
Travelers should also observe strict hygiene protocols, including frequent handwashing and avoiding individuals with symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or fever.
The CDC also emphasized rapid action if either illness develops during or after travel.
Those feeling unwell upon their return from any of the three countries are urged to seek immediate medical care and inform medical personnel about recent travel history and vaccination status.
What People Are Saying
Dr Philip Chan, a professor of medicine at Brown University, Rhode Island, told Newsweek: "It's concerning that we're seeing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in some of these countries. The good news is that they are preventable with currently available vaccines. For people traveling to affected countries, I would recommend discussing with a physician and making sure you are vaccinated against these infections.
"I would be most concerned about diphtheria. Diphtheria was a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the past and especially in children under the age of 15 years of whom 5 to 10 percent died. It's important for adults who are traveling to affected countries to make sure they are up to date on their diphtheria booster because immunity does wane over time in many adults. In general, if people are up to date with vaccinations and take reasonable precautions, such as avoiding contact with sick people, washing your hands, and others, then I wouldn't worry as much."
What Happens Next
The CDC will continue to monitor outbreaks and update advisories for different countries over the course of the year. Americans considering travel to Sierra Leone, Liberia, or Guinea should consult the latest CDC and State Department recommendations prior to booking travel, and prepare accordingly.

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I've had food tour guests react like it was Christmas morning just because of a market tasting or a pastry they'd never tried before, and a bride bringing me a full suitcase with gym clothes as a souvenir from LA — and it's truly heartwarming.' ― Batista 'My partner Luca Veralli is a master gelato maker, and his gelato has been awarded by Gambero Rosso. Every time an American tourist tastes it, they always ― without fail ― say the same phrase: 'Oh my God!' For us, it's a joy. They say it with genuine enthusiasm that truly makes us happy. But it's funny how this exclamation is almost always identical, as if it were a ritual.' ― De Lorenzi, Generous Tipping 'One immediate giveaway is that American travelers are generous tippers ― even though the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world where a 20%-plus tip is expected as the norm. 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Where the research goes next There is a registered clinical trial in the US that is investigating senescence in long-COVID. Our consortium is testing new ways to spot signs of ageing in the cells that line our blood vessels. First, we expose healthy endothelial cells in the lab to blood from patients to see whether it pushes the cells into a senescent, or 'zombie,' state. At the same time, we are trialling non‑invasive imaging and fluorescent probes that could one day reveal these ageing cells inside the body. In selected cases, tissue biopsies may later confirm what the scans show. Together, these approaches aim to pinpoint how substances circulating in the blood drive cellular ageing and how that, in turn, fuels disease. Our aim is simple: find these ageing endothelial cells in real patients. Pinpointing them will inform the next round of clinical trials and open the door to therapies that target senescent cells directly, offering a route to healthier blood vessels and, ultimately, lighter disease loads. Burtram C. Fielding is Dean Faculty of Sciences and Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.