The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions travel notice due to an outbreak of clade II monkeypox in Liberia.
According to the Africa CDC, Liberia has reported 1,451 confirmed mpox cases and six deaths in 2025. As of January 17, Liberia has seen four confirmed cases to date in 2026.
Federal health authorities say this outbreak have affected males and females approximately equally, unlike the ongoing global clade II monkeypox outbreak that began in 2022, which has primarily affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM).
This travel alert comes at the same time the Africa CDC officially lifted Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.
Health Alert – Monkeypox Outbreak – U. S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia (January 22, 2026)
Person-to-person transmission has occurred during this outbreak, including through sexual or other intimate contact.
CDC provides the following key points concerning travel to Liberia:
Monkeypox vaccination is recommended for travelers to Liberia who anticipate the following sexual activities (regardless of sexual orientation) during travel to certain countries with sustained person-to-person transmission of clade II monkeypox:
Sex with a new partner
Sex at a commercial sex venue (e.g., sex club or bathhouse)
Sex or intimate contact (e.g. massage) in exchange for money, goods, drugs, or other trade
Sex in association with a large public event (e.g., rave, party, or festival)
For those recommended to receive monkeypox vaccination, get two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine at least 28 days apart.
If you are at risk for monkeypox and have only received one dose, get a second dose as soon as possible.
It takes about two weeks after the second dose for maximum protection against monkeypox. Be sure to plan ahead.
Whether or not you’re fully vaccinated when you travel, protect yourself from monkeypox.
All people should avoid situations that might increase their risk for monkeypox, but especially people with risk factors for infection and/or who are at risk for severe disease (e.g., pregnant women, infants younger than 1 year, people with eczema or active skin conditions, and people who are immunocompromised).