A World Health Organization (WHO) official has underscored that the spread of mpox, including both old and new strains, is manageable and should not be compared to COVID-19. Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, emphasized during a media briefing on Tuesday that the measures to contain mpox transmission are well-known and should be implemented globally.
“We can and must tackle mpox together,” Kluge said in a Reuters report, calling for coordinated efforts to control and eliminate the virus. He stressed that the current situation represents a critical test for Europe and the world, urging that systems be put in place to avoid another cycle of panic and neglect.
Mpox, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, has garnered global attention due to the emergence of the Clade 1b variant, which is believed to be more easily transmitted through close contact. The variant has been linked to an outbreak in Africa, with cases spreading to countries like Sweden, where a new case was recently confirmed.
Kluge pointed out that focusing on the Clade 1 strain offers an opportunity to improve public health responses and surveillance for the less severe Clade 2 strain, which still sees around 100 new cases reported monthly in Europe.
The WHO declared the mpox outbreak a matter of “international concern” after more than 17,000 cases of the more severe strain were identified across Europe. The virus, part of the smallpox family, spreads through direct contact with infected individuals or animals. With rising cases in Africa and other regions, global health officials are calling for heightened vigilance and swift public health interventions to control the spread of mpox.