Mpox not new Covid and can be stopped, expert says

Despite genuine concerns about a new version of the virus and a global alert, Europe regional head Dr Hans Kluge assured journalists that we could - and must - combat mpox.

And taking bold action now, such as ensuring vaccines reach the most vulnerable places, has the potential to break the cycle of panic and neglect.

A case of the new type, Clade Ib, was discovered in Sweden last week and connected to an ongoing outbreak in Africa. Mpox has killed at least 450 individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire, in recent months, according to Clade Ib.

There is still much to learn about the new type, according to specialists, but it may spread more easily, resulting in more catastrophic sickness.

There have been no reported cases of Clade Ib in the UK, but experts fear that it could spread unless international action is taken. A separate strain, Clade II, was responsible for the 2022 pandemic, which began in Europe and has now spread around the world.

However, specialists know how to control mpox, regardless of the variant, through non-discriminatory public health action and fair vaccine access, according to Dr. Kluge. The virus, which causes fever and rash, spreads by skin-to-skin contact with lesions, particularly during sex.

Spread quickly

Dr Kluge stated that the risk to the general population was negligible. "Will we go into lockdown in the WHO European region because it's another Covid-19? "The answer is clearly 'no'," he stated.

"Two years ago, we controlled mpox in Europe thanks to the direct engagement with the most affected communities of men who have sex with men," according to Dr. Kluge. "In 2022, mpox showed us it can spread quickly around the world.

"We can and must address mpox together, across areas and continents. "Will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally or will we enter another cycle of panic, then neglect?"

Dr. Kluge noted that approximately 100 new Clade II cases were being recorded in the European region each month. Travellers to impacted areas in Africa may consider vaccination.

According to WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic, the WHO does not endorse masks. "We do not recommend mass vaccination. We propose using vaccines in outbreak scenarios for the most vulnerable individuals," he added.