Mpox is ‘not the new Covid’ and the disease can be stopped, WHO director says

Biotech
Tuesday, August 20th, 2024 4:22 pm EDT

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been addressed by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, who emphasized that it is “not the new Covid” and that the risk to the general population remains low. In a statement, Dr. Kluge rejected comparisons between mpox and the coronavirus pandemic, urging global cooperation to control and eliminate the disease. He stressed the importance of putting systems in place to manage mpox effectively, warning against the dangers of falling into a cycle of panic followed by neglect, which could undermine efforts to control the virus.

The WHO recently declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring African countries. This declaration highlights the ongoing global concern about the disease, particularly as it spreads beyond its usual endemic regions.

Mpox is a rare viral infection that typically spreads through close contact and is most commonly found in West or Central Africa. The virus exists in two distinct strains, or clades: Clade I, which is endemic to Central Africa, and Clade II, which is found in West Africa. Clade I is known to cause more severe illness, with some outbreaks resulting in death rates of up to 10%, although recent outbreaks have shown lower mortality rates. In contrast, Clade II, which was responsible for the global mpox outbreak in 2022, is associated with less severe infections, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 99.9% of those infected with this strain survive.

Despite the global health emergency status, Dr. Kluge noted that the current rate of new Clade II cases in the European region is around 100 per month. However, the alert around Clade I, which has recently spread to countries outside of Africa, including Sweden, where the first case of this variant was recorded, offers an opportunity for Europe to refocus its efforts on controlling Clade II as well. The emphasis remains on vigilance and proactive management to prevent further spread and to ensure that mpox does not escalate into a larger public health crisis.

Overall, the WHO’s message is clear: while mpox is a serious concern, it is not comparable to the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of risk to the general population. The focus should be on coordinated global efforts to control and eventually eliminate the disease, rather than on unnecessary alarm or complacency. How the world responds to this challenge will be a critical test for public health systems globally.

For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/20/mpox-is-not-the-new-covid-who-director-says.html