According to WHO, Mpox is Not the Next Covid

According to WHO Mpox is Not the Next Covid

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized on Tuesday that the mpox outbreak is not another Covid-19, as the virus is already well-understood, and effective control measures are in place. WHO's European director, Hans Kluge, acknowledged the need for further research on the Clade 1b strain, which led the UN agency to declare a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). However, he asserted that the spread of mpox can be contained.

In July 2022, the WHO declared a PHEIC in response to the global outbreak of the less severe Clade 2b strain of mpox, which primarily impacted gay and bisexual men. This emergency status was lifted in May 2023.

"Mpox is not the new Covid," Kluge stated firmly. "We know how to control mpox. In the European region, we have identified the necessary steps to eliminate its transmission entirely," he said during a media briefing from Geneva via video link.

Kluge highlighted that two years ago, mpox was controlled in Europe through active engagement with the most affected communities, robust surveillance, thorough contact tracing, and sound public health advice. He also credited behavior changes, non-discriminatory public health actions, and vaccination efforts with helping to control the outbreak.

Kluge reassured that the risk to the general population remains low and dismissed concerns about lockdowns in Europe, stating, "Are we going to go into lockdown in the WHO European region as with Covid-19? The answer is clearly: 'no'."

He added that the primary mode of mpox transmission continues to be close skin-to-skin contact, though there is a possibility of transmission via droplets in specific circumstances, such as in homes or hospitals, particularly if the infected individual has mouth blisters. However, he noted that more research is needed to fully understand the transmission modes.

WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic clarified that the WHO is not recommending the use of masks or mass vaccination, but advises targeted vaccination in outbreak settings for high-risk groups. The WHO declared an international health emergency on August 14 due to the rising cases of Clade 1b in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its spread to neighboring countries.