Mpox Scare:  Amid the rising scare of global Monkeypox (Mpox) spreading, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday that Mpox, whether the new strain or the old, is not the new C WHO WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge stressed that its spread can only be controlled by global efforts. Kluge further urged for decisive action to manage and eliminate Mpox, warning that today's response by the global community will be a critical test for future public health efforts.

"We can and must tackle Mpox together. 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,” the WHO regional director for Europe said.

Mpox Spread: A Global Health Emergency

Mpox is a viral infection characterised by pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms in the patient. While it is generally mild, it can be fatal in some cases. The clade 1b variant of mpox has raised global alarms due to its apparent ease of transmission through regular close contact. Recently, a case of this variant was identified in Sweden, connected to an expanding outbreak in Africa.

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Following the latest uptick in the incident rate of the disease, WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHIEC).

Kluge emphasised that the attention given to the new clade 1 strain allows Europe to shift its focus back to the milder clade 2 strain, enhancing public health guidance and surveillance efforts. He also mentioned that around 100 new cases of the clade 2 Mpox strain are being reported monthly across the European region.

Mpox: Over 17,000 Cases Reported This Year

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has documented more than 17,000 Mpox cases and over 500 deaths globally this year. Congo has been the hardest hit, with over 96% of all cases and fatalities occurring there. The country’s healthcare system, already burdened by limited infrastructure, has faced significant challenges in managing disease outbreaks across its expansive territory. In Congo, children under the age of 15 represent over 70% of the cases and account for 85% of the deaths.


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