STOCKHOLM: The European Union health agency on Friday advised its member states to brace for potential increases in cases of a severe strain of mpox, following Sweden’s report of the first case outside Africa.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) conducted a risk assessment and determined that the overall risk to the general population in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) — which comprises 30 countries — remains “low.”
Despite this, the ECDC recommended that public health authorities in the EU/EEA continue rigorous preparedness planning and raise awareness to ensure quick detection and response. The agency indicated that additional imported cases in Europe are “highly likely” due to the close connections between Europe and Africa.
Pamela Rendi-Wagner, ECDC director, emphasized the need for readiness: “Given the strong links between Europe and Africa, we must be prepared for more imported Clade I cases.”
This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the rapid spread of a more dangerous mpox strain, known as Clade 1b, as a public health emergency of international concern.
This is the highest level of alert issued by the WHO. The outbreak has already claimed 548 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year. Sweden and Pakistan have reported the first cases of this strain outside Africa, with further imported cases in Europe expected.
The ECDC’s updated risk assessment indicates that while the overall risk to the general EU/EEA population is currently low, the likelihood of infection is high for travelers from Europe visiting affected areas who come into close contact with impacted communities. There is also a moderate risk for close contacts of possible or confirmed imported cases in Europe.
Mpox is an infectious disease transmitted to humans from animals but can also spread through close physical contact between people. It is characterized by fever, muscle aches, and large, boil-like skin lesions.
