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The new recommendations say travelers should consider getting the MPox vaccine if they are traveling to affected areas in Africa.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) updated its advice on the outbreak of the new virus strain, saying there could be some cases on other continents, including Europe.
The ECDC said the risk of the virus spreading to other areas is lowThis is despite the World Health Organization recently declaring the MPOX situation a global emergency.
The disease, formally known as monkeypox, can be spread through close contact with an infected person.
People who have received the MPox vaccine in the past may only need one booster dose, rather than two.
If a person remains at ongoing risk for exposure, booster vaccinations are generally recommended every two to ten years.
Mpox, which has killed at least 450 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo in recent months, is linked to a new type, or clade, called 1b.
Mpox can be spread from person to person through:
- Any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs (including sexual contact, kissing, hugging, or holding hands)
- Contact with clothing, bedding, or towels of a person with mpox
- When someone with mpox is near you, their cough or sneeze
It causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions and can be fatal in some people.
Experts say there’s still a lot to learn about the 1b virus, but it may be more easily spread and cause more severe illness.
Pamela Rendi-Wagner of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said: “Due to the rapid spread of this outbreak in Africa, ECDC has increased the risk level for the general population in the EU/EEA area and for travellers to affected areas. Due to the close links between Europe and Africa, we must be prepared for more imported type 1 cases.”
There have been no confirmed cases of MPOX type 1b in the UK, but experts say cases could spread if international action is not taken.
A case of MPOX was also detected in Sweden, in a patient who was infected while staying in an area of Africa where the disease is endemic.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has advised public health authorities to develop plans and be prepared to quickly detect further cases that could spread to Europe.
The last MPox public health emergency was declared in 2022 and was caused by another milder strain of the virus, Clade 2.
Although an effective vaccine against mpox is available, too few doses are currently reaching where they are needed most.
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