Mpox poses a low risk to the general population and is “not the new Covid,” according to Dr. Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Kluge emphasized that comparisons between mpox and the coronavirus pandemic are misguided, urging global collaboration to control and eliminate the virus.
“We can, and must, tackle mpox together — across regions and continents,” Kluge said. He warned that the global response would be a “critical test” for Europe and the world, determining whether mpox will be eradicated or neglected.
The UN health agency recently declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries.
Mpox, previously called monkeypox, is a viral infection typically found in west and central Africa. There are two strains: Clade I, linked to more severe illness, and Clade II, responsible for the 2022 global outbreak. Though Clade II is less severe, Europe has recorded about 100 new cases monthly. Sweden recently confirmed the first Clade I case outside of Africa.
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