Even though the WHO has classified the outbreak of the mpox disease in Africa as an international health emergency, the situation is entirely different from when COVID-19 spread across the world, says Hans Kluge at a press conference in Geneva.
In contrast to when the coronavirus emerged, knowledge about mpox is extensive.
We know how to handle mpox – and in Europe, what is required to stop the spread completely, says Kluge.
Two years ago, the WHO classified a less severe variant of the disease as an international emergency. Eleven months ago, the danger was blown over.
Two years ago, we could handle mpox thanks to gaining control over the spread of infection, quickly investigating all new cases, and issuing practical health advice to the public, says Kluge.
The risk of infection for the general public in Europe is low, according to the WHO.
The variant of mpox that is now spreading in Africa, called clade 1, is believed to be both more contagious and deadly than clade 2, whose spread took off in 2022 and which is also found in Sweden.
Last week, Sweden got its first case of the more dangerous variant, the first confirmed outside of Africa.
