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A prominent World Health Organization expert said Mpox “is not the new Covid” because authorities clearly know how to control its spread.
Despite concerns about new variants of the virus and global alarm, Dr. Hans Kluge, regional director for Europe, told reporters that we can and must deal with MPOX together.
Taking strong action now — including ensuring vaccines reach where they are needed most — can prevent another round of panic and neglect.
A case study of the new variant Clade Ib, It was confirmed in Sweden last week and has been linked to the growing outbreak in Africa.
In recent months, Salmonella typhi, which is related to clade Ib, has killed at least 450 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, formerly Zaire).
Experts say there’s still a lot to learn about the new variant, but it may spread more easily and cause more severe illness.
The UK has not yet recorded any cases of type Ib – but experts warn it could spread unless international action is taken.
Another variant, Clade II, was behind the 2022 outbreak, which initially affected Europe and is still spreading in many parts of the world.
But experts know how to control MPOX, no matter which variant it is — through nondiscriminatory public health actions and equitable access to vaccines, Dr. Kluge said.
The virus causes fever and rash and can be spread through skin-to-skin contact with lesions, including during sexual intercourse.
Dr. Krueger said the risk to the general population is low.
“Would we impose a lockdown on the WHO European region? Is this another COVID-19 pandemic? The answer is clearly ‘no’,” he said.
“Two years ago, we brought MPOX under control in Europe through direct engagement with the most affected groups of men who have sex with men,” Dr Kluge said.
“In 2022, mpox showed us that it can spread rapidly around the world.
“We can and must work together across regions and continents to tackle MPOX.
“Will we choose to build systems to control and eliminate mpox on a global scale, or will we enter another cycle of panic, followed by neglect?”
Dr. Kluge added that currently about 100 new Clade II cases are being reported each month in Europe.
Travelers to affected areas in Africa Be informed Consider vaccination.
WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said the WHO does not recommend the use of masks.
“We don’t recommend mass vaccination. We recommend using vaccines in outbreaks, targeting groups at highest risk,” he added.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has a “clear plan” to provide 10 million doses of vaccine to the continent.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria will begin vaccinations next week.
Danish vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic will transfer its technology to African manufacturers to produce vaccines locally to increase supply and reduce costs.
Dr. Jean Casillas, director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, also pleaded with countries at a press conference not to punish Africa with travel bans.
“I unequivocally ask our partners to stop considering travel bans against Africans, as this would expose us to the same unfair treatment we suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Solidarity means we need your appropriate support in terms of the medical response,” he said.
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