Mpox Not New Covid, Can Be Stopped: Expert

Geneva, 20 August 2024 (TDI): Mpox is “not the new Covid”, because authorities clearly know how to control its spread, a leading World Health Organization (WHO) expert has said.

Despite real concern about a new variant of the virus, and a global alert, Europe regional director Dr Hans Kluge told reporters that together we could – and must – tackle mpox.

And strong action now – including ensuring vaccines reach the areas most in need – could stop another cycle of neglect and panic, he said
A case of the new variant, Clade Ib, was detected in Sweden last week and linked to a growing outbreak in Africa.

Mpox has killed about 450 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the former Zaire, in recent months, linked to Clade Ib.

There is still a lot to learn about the new variant, health experts say, but it may be spreading more easily, causing more serious illnesse.

No Clade Ib cases have been witnessed in the UK – but experts warn it can spread unless global action is taken.

A different variant, Clade II, was behind the 2022 outbreak that initially affected Europe and continues to circulate in many countries of the world.

But experts know how to control mpox, regardless of the variant – through equitable access to vaccines and non-discriminatory public-health action, Dr Kluge said.

The virus, which causes a rash an fever, can be spread by skin-to-skin contact with lesions, including during sex.

Dr Kluge said the risk of spreading of the virus to the general population was low.

“Are we going to go in lockdown in the European region, it’s another Covid-19? The answer is clearly: ‘no’,” he said.