WHO asserts, "Mpox is not the new COVID-19"
A World Health Organization (WHO) representative emphasized on Tuesday that mpox, whether it is a new or old strain, is not the new COVID-19, as authorities know how to control its spread.
TroibNews 
On Tuesday, a World Health Organization (WHO) representative clarified that mpox, should not be compared to COVID-19, whether it's a new or previously identified strain, as effective control measures are well-known.
"We can and must tackle mpox together," Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, conveyed during a UN media briefing.
"So will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally? Or we will enter another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and in the years to come will prove a critical test for Europe and the world," Kluge continued.
Mpox is characterized by pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, and while typically mild, it has the potential to be lethal. The clade 1b variant of the virus has recently raised alarms due to its apparently easier transmission through direct physical contact.
Recently, Sweden confirmed a case of this variant, marking it the first incident linked to the more extensive outbreak happening across Africa, emphasizing the global reach of mpox. Subsequently, the WHO has labeled the ongoing outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
Kluge also mentioned that a concentrated effort on the clade 1 strain should buoy the fight against the less severe clade 2 variant, which has been spreading since 2022. This approach should enhance Europe’s preparedness through refined health guidance and better surveillance.
Kluge noted that the European region reports about 100 new cases of the mpox clade 2 strain monthly.
Defining differences in transmission, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic explained that mpox primarily spreads through close physical and sexual contact, and unlike some past pandemics such as COVID-19, it doesn't transmit easily via airborne routes. Consequently, there's no guidance currently advising the public to wear masks.
Authorities are urged to remain vigilant and adaptable to the possibility of new, more transmissible strains, or changes in how the virus spreads, added Jasarevic.
For further details, the recent classification of the mpox outbreak as a "continental emergency" in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been alarming, with 570 fatalities reported.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
"We can and must tackle mpox together," Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, conveyed during a UN media briefing.
"So will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally? Or we will enter another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and in the years to come will prove a critical test for Europe and the world," Kluge continued.
Mpox is characterized by pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, and while typically mild, it has the potential to be lethal. The clade 1b variant of the virus has recently raised alarms due to its apparently easier transmission through direct physical contact.
Recently, Sweden confirmed a case of this variant, marking it the first incident linked to the more extensive outbreak happening across Africa, emphasizing the global reach of mpox. Subsequently, the WHO has labeled the ongoing outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
Kluge also mentioned that a concentrated effort on the clade 1 strain should buoy the fight against the less severe clade 2 variant, which has been spreading since 2022. This approach should enhance Europe’s preparedness through refined health guidance and better surveillance.
Kluge noted that the European region reports about 100 new cases of the mpox clade 2 strain monthly.
Defining differences in transmission, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic explained that mpox primarily spreads through close physical and sexual contact, and unlike some past pandemics such as COVID-19, it doesn't transmit easily via airborne routes. Consequently, there's no guidance currently advising the public to wear masks.
Authorities are urged to remain vigilant and adaptable to the possibility of new, more transmissible strains, or changes in how the virus spreads, added Jasarevic.
For further details, the recent classification of the mpox outbreak as a "continental emergency" in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been alarming, with 570 fatalities reported.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
