BERLIN, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A World Health Organization (WHO) official stressed that mpox, regardless of whether it is the new or old strain, is not the new COVID-19, as authorities know how to control its spread.
“We can and must tackle mpox together,” said Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, in a media briefing.
“So will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally? Or will we enter another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and in the years to come will prove a critical test for Europe and the world,” he added.
Mpox, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can kill.
The clade 1b variety of mpox has triggered global concern because it seems to spread more easily through routine close contact.
A case of the variant was confirmed last week in Sweden and linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent.
Kluge said that the focus on the new clade 1 strain will also help in the fight against the less severe clade 2 variety that has been spreading globally since 2022, allowing Europe to improve its response through better health advice and surveillance.
About 100 new cases of the clade 2 mpox strain are now being reported in the European region every month, added Kluge.
“Two years ago, we controlled mpox in Europe thanks to the direct engagement with the most affected communities,” he said.
“We put in place robust surveillance; we thoroughly investigated new cases contacts; and we provided sound public health advice.
“Behaviour change, non-discriminatory public health action, and mpox vaccination contributed to controlling the outbreak.”
Kluge said the risk to the general population was low.
“Are we going to go in lockdown in the WHO European region, is it another COVID-19? The answer is clearly ‘no’,” he said.
Mpox transmits through close physical contact, including sexual contact, but unlike previous global pandemics such as COVID-19, there is no evidence it spreads easily through the air.
Health authorities need to be on alert and flexible in case there are new, more transmissible clades or ones that change their transmission route, but there are no recommendations for people to wear masks, said WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic. — NNN-AGENCIES
