The World Health Organization, WHO, says the Mpox outbreak is not another COVID-19, saying much is already known about the virus and the means to control it.
The WHO’s European director, Hans Kluge, stated this on Tuesday, adding that while more research is needed on the Clade 1b strain which triggered the UN agency into declaring a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), the spread of Mpox can be restricted.
DAILY POST recalls that in July 2022, the WHO declared a PHEIC over the international outbreak of the less severe Clade 2b strain of mpox, which mostly affected gay and bisexual men.
However, the alarm was lifted in May 2023.
“Mpox is not the new COVID-19. We know how to control mpox. And, in the European region, the steps needed to eliminate its transmission,” he told a media briefing in Geneva, via video link.
“Two years ago, we controlled mpox in Europe thanks to direct engagement with the most affected communities.
“We put in place robust surveillance; we thoroughly investigated new cases and contacts; and we provided sound public health advice.
“Behaviour change, non-discriminatory public health action, and mpox vaccination contributed to controlling the outbreak,” Kluge said.
Kluge, who said the risk to the general population was low, added that the predominant route of transmission remained close skin-to-skin contact.