Mpox is “not the new Covid” and the chance to the final population is low, said the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe.
In a press release published Dr. Hans Kluge on Tuesday rejected comparisons between MPOX and the coronavirus pandemic.
“We can and must fight MPOX together – across regions and continents,” said Kluge.
“Will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eradicate MPOX worldwide? Or will we fall into another cycle of panic and subsequent neglect?” he added.
“How we respond now and in the years to come will prove to be a crucial test for Europe – and the world.”
The United Nations health agency recently explained mpox is a worldwide health emergency for the second time in two years. The disease previously broke out within the Democratic Republic of Congo and spread from there to neighboring African countries.
Mpox, formerly generally known as monkeypox, is a rare viral infection that spreads through close contact and is commonest in West or Central Africa. It is assessed into two different viral strains or clades.
Clade I, endemic to Central Africa, is understood to cause more severe disease and mortality, with some outbreaks leading to deaths of as much as 10% of those infected, although newer outbreaks have shown lower mortality rates. after to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Clade II virus group, endemic in West Africa, caused the worldwide Mpox outbreak in 2022. The infections are less severe, the CDC reported. Saying that greater than 99.9% of individuals survive this strain.
Sweden on Thursday became the primary country Outside Africa, one case of the Mpox clade I variant was recorded on the centre of the recent outbreak.
“Today, we are seeing about 100 new cases of Mpox clade II every month in the European Region,” said Kluge.
“However, the current state of alert due to Group I gives Europe the opportunity to refocus on Group II,” he added.
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