[ad_1]
“Monkeypox is not a new coronavirus, but it can spread quickly around the world.” Hans Kluge, regional director for Europe at the World Health Organization (WHO), raised the alarm at a press conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, according to Romania’s Rador Radio, RAI NEWS reported.
Kluge also said that a “lack of commitment” and “resources” from European governments was hindering the eradication of the virus. According to the World Health Organization, Europe registers 100 new cases of Mpox every month. The one that is spreading exponentially in Africa is a separate variant of the virus that kills about 10% of those infected. It is a “descendant” of the deadly Clade I strain of the Mpox virus and is different from the milder version that has spread to more than 20 countries. How does it spread? “We already know a lot about Clade II. We still need to learn more about Clade I. As far as we know, Mpox is mainly transmitted by direct contact with affected skin, even during sexual intercourse,” Kluge pointed out. However, the current state of alert against Clade I gives Europe the opportunity to focus on Clade II strains. “Two years ago, we controlled Mpox in Europe due to the direct involvement of the most affected communities, namely men who have sex with men,” Kluge said. “We implemented rigorous surveillance, thoroughly investigated new cases and contacts, and provided critical public health advice. Behavior changes, non-discriminatory public health measures, and Mpox vaccination helped control the outbreak. Building on our success, we urge governments and health authorities to support these measures to help eliminate Mpox from Europe. But a lack of commitment and resources has prevented us from completing the final steps. In short, while increasing vigilance against Mpox Clade I strains, we can and must work to eliminate Clade II from Europe once and for all.” The latest data from the World Health Organization shows that more than 99,000 cases of Mpox have been recorded worldwide since January 2022. In 2022, Clade II alerted health officials, but new infections have gradually declined due to increased awareness of the disease and a rapid vaccination program.
The variant that’s worrying health experts right now, called Clade Ib, kills about one in 20 adults it infects, and can kill as many as one in 10 children. The infections have also been linked to a worrying increase in miscarriages among pregnant women. Last week, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. That’s the same name the WHO gave the coronavirus in late January 2020, weeks before it spread around the world. What’s happening now Cases of the new strain are concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 17,000 cases and 571 deaths have been reported in Africa this year, a 160% increase from the same period last year, authorities say. However, it’s unclear exactly how many cases and deaths the new strain is responsible for because older versions are still circulating. The Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma has an international airport that offers frequent direct flights to Europe, and experts have warned it could be a possible route for the virus to enter the new continent. Last week, Sweden reported its first case of the deadly new strain, the first outside of Africa. Pakistan and the Philippines have since reported suspected cases, though they are awaiting test results to confirm whether they are linked to the strain. Speaking about the spread of Clade 1b at the press conference, Kluge stressed that “Europe must choose to act in solidarity. Stand in solidarity with the people and communities affected by Mpox, work directly with them and look after their health. We stand in solidarity with the WHO African Region and its affected Member States, both at this critical moment and in the long term.” “In 2022, Mpox showed us how quickly it can spread throughout the world. We can and must face this together, across all regions and continents. How we respond now and in the years to come will be a litmus test for Europe and the world,” Kluge concluded.
At the European level, the EU Health Security Committee “agreed” at a meeting that the Mpox situation should not be considered an emergency for European health security, European Commission spokesman Stefan De Keersmaecker said at a meeting on Tuesday. The Health Security Committee, however, agreed to a “closely coordinated approach” to the monkeypox virus. “We learned from Covid-19 that we have to be prepared. HERA signed a contract for the joint procurement of 2 million doses of the Mpox vaccine and 100,000 doses of the therapeutic,” recalled Stefan De Keersmaecker.
[ad_2]
Source link
