Friday, December 6

European Health Agency Expects More Monkeypox Cases but Cites Low Transmission Risk

The head of the European Agency for Disease Prevention and Control stated on Friday that more cases of the monkeypox strain, referred to as Mpoxen, are expected in the upcoming weeks. However, the risk of sustained transmission remains low.

Following an assessment on Friday, the agency upgraded the risk level of sporadic cases of Mpox clade I in Europe to “moderate.” The risk was deemed high for travelers who had close contact with affected areas in Africa and moderate for their contacts.

Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner emphasized the anticipation of additional cases in the near future but highlighted the current very low risk to the European population. She urged European nations to heighten their preparedness and awareness to curb further spread.

The monkeypox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo involving two distinct strains, an endemic form, and a new branch named clade Ib, has raised global alarms after its spread to other African nations.

Sweden recently confirmed the first Clade Ib case outside Africa, prompting the WHO to declare the outbreak a global health emergency. Health authorities in Europe were advised by the European Centre for Disease Control to strategize for the swift detection of any potential Class I cases entering the continent.

The impact of this virus strain in Europe is projected to be minimal with the implementation of proper surveillance and control measures, drawing from the lessons learned during the global dissemination of another MPOX strain, Clade II, in 2022.

The previous experience with the virus spreading predominantly among men who have sex with men underscored the effectiveness of behavioral adjustments and vaccinations in managing the virus in Europe.

Monkeypox, causing flu-like symptoms and lesions, can be fatal in rare instances, although typically mild. The virus spreads through close contact, including sexual contact, with type Ib displaying a higher transmissibility among individuals. However, uncertainties persist regarding its severity and transmission dynamics.

Rendi-Wagner stressed the importance of swift testing to identify suspected cases in Europe promptly and prevent further dissemination, advising European health authorities to act promptly on any potential cases with travel history or contacts in affected African regions.