91Èȱ¬

Note this is a developing situation and the information in this page may change or be added to as the disease and/or knowledge about the current outbreak evolves.

What Can Go Wrong?

• Mpox transmission could occur between staff, freelancers, contributors and/or other contacts.
• Staff, contributors or other contacts at higher risk of serious illness could contract the disease.
• 91Èȱ¬ staff or freelancers could spread the virus to others.

Legal/Travel/91Èȱ¬ Requirements

• Research and follow local public health protocols and restrictions that may be in place to prevent spread of Mpox.
• Some countries may have mpox screening in place. Check FCDO foreign travel advice () for entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.
• Workers travelling from the UK to a country affected by  will need to engage with the UKHSA Returning Workers Scheme ().  
• Contact the  before travel, for further direction. See also UKHSA Clade 1 information document under 'useful docs' below
• Carry out a deployment risk assessment if covering the story or travelling to areas with a high background risk of transmission.
• Consider people at higher risk of serious illness from Mpox and follow the advice given on this page.  

Control Measures

Risk assessment

• A separate risk assessment will be required if deploying to cover the Mpox story, or if deploying to areas with high background risk of Mpox.
• News teams should use PTK pages to check risk classification of areas that may be deployed to and if necessary speak to HRNS to confirm which type of risk assessment is therefore required.

Categorisation of risk

• Mpox deployment risk will fall into one of the 3 categories listed below. Decide which category applies and consider all of the generic controls given.
• Teams will need to tailor the controls to fit the specific circumstances of the deployment.
• Category 1 will apply to ALL deployments.
• Categories 2 and 3 should be considered only if editorially necessary and after consultation with editorial team leader and HRNS.

All Locations – Category 1

• Team is aware and understands published health advice from trusted authorities on Mpox symptoms, transmission and self-care. Some references below from WHO, NHS and Africa CDC:

• If travelling from the UK you may need to enter the UKHSA returning workers scheme – Refer to the Legal/Travel/91Èȱ¬ Requirements above.
• Identify whether location has a higher risk profile for mpox, eg crowded locations such as refugee camp.
• Seek information on and cooperate with infection control protocols in host location.
• All team members should have valid medical insurance for any necessary treatment.
• Follow general infection control procedures:

1. Keep at least 1m distance.

2. Where possible, conduct interviews outdoors.
3. Avoid shared touchpoints and avoid sharing hygiene items, eating utensils and water bottles.
4. Avoid touching clothing, bedding or possessions of individuals.
5. Avoid contact with animals.
6. Avoid eating or touching meat from wild animals.
7. Wash hands thoroughly and regularly, or use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
8. Post deployment, clean any textiles, equipment or surfaces of concern. See

• Where accessible, any teams deploying to areas with risk of Mpox should consider having the vaccine.
• Be aware of and monitor for symptoms post deployment for 21 days.
• Team should avoid direct contact with higher risk individuals e.g. pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions, after deployment.
• Follow local public health advice for isolation and contact tracing if symptoms develop.
• Seek further advice from 91Èȱ¬ team leader.

Community Deployments: Suspected/confirmed cases of Mpox - Category 2

• Public Health advice is that individuals in this category should be isolating.
• For managed locations, seek information and assurance on local protocols in place to prevent spread.
• Avoid entering isolation area where possible.
• If entry is necessary, full PPE as per clinical setting should be worn with a clear plan for safe disposal. See
• Discuss deployment with HRNS prior to risk assessment.

Clinical Settings: Treating Mpox patients - Category 3

• Seek information and assurance from the health provider on local protocols for authorised access and infection control.
• Follow direction of the host on PPE. It is expected this will include : gloves, mask, gown and eye protection. For further information see .
• Source PPE in use to specified type and standard
• Expected minimum standard for mask is N95 or FFP2/3.
• Follow exert advice on how to properly fit and wear PPE.
• Follow expert advice on how to safely dispose of PPE.
• Discuss deployment with HRNS prior to risk assessment.

Hygiene

• Encourage team members and contributors to wash hands regularly with soap and water, or to regularly use hand sanitiser at least 60% alcohol if unable to wash hands.

• Be aware that transmission occurs through close contact and have a plan in place to:

1. avoid touching shared contact points where possible and;
2. clean any equipment or surfaces of concern;
3. launder any clothing or textiles of concern.

• For further information see .
• Consider use of boom or fixed microphones over lapel/personal mics.
• For shared broadcast equipment, e.g. radio mics, ear pieces, follow a standard cleaning and hygiene protocol to reduce risk of transmission.

Contributors and other impacted persons

• Check whether anyone is at higher risk of serious illness from Mpox, or is living with someone in this category.

PPE

• Where PPE is assessed to be necessary for a deployment the risk assessment should specify type and standard of PPE, eg N95/FFP3 mask.
• Team should be briefed on correct fitting and use of any PPE identified in the risk assessment.
• Where PPE is worn, a clear plan for safe laundering, cleaning and/or disposal must be considered as part of the risk assessment. 

What to do if concerned about Mpox symptoms

• Staff and freelancers should monitor for Mpox symptoms for 21 days after deployment.

• Avoid direct contact with higher risk individuals e.g. pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions.

• Follow local public health advice for notification, isolation and contact tracing if symptoms develop.

• Speak to your 91Èȱ¬ team leader, who should seek further advice through HRNS.

Key Actions

• If your deployment is not high risk, record your risk assessment on the Safety Hub.
• If you deployment is high risk, follow the usual process for high risk assessment, engaging with HRNS at the earliest opportunity.

Division Specific Issues

•  As covered above

FAQs/Did You Know?