A World Health Organization official said Tuesday that monkeypox, whether it’s the new or the old strain, is not the new COVID, given that authorities know how to control the spread of the disease, according to Reuters.
Mpox or monkey pox is a viral disease. PHOTO Shutterstock (Archive)
“We can and must fight mpox together,” said Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, at a UN press conference.
“So will we choose to implement the necessary procedures to control and eliminate smallpox worldwide? Or will we enter another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and in the years to come will prove a crucial test for Europe and the world at large“, he added.
Monkeypox, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can be fatal.
In Europe, Sweden registered a case of infection with the clade 1b subtype a week ago. The case was linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent.
WHO qualified the recent disease outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant was detected.
The WHO regional director for Europe argued that attention to the new strain of clade 1 will help in the fight against clade 2, which is spreading globally from 2022 and is less severe.
Around 100 new cases of monkeypox – clade 2 – are currently being recorded in the European region every month, Kluge said.
Mpox or monkeypox is a viral disease that is transmitted through direct and indirect physical contact, including sexual contact. It can cause fever, muscle pain and injury.
