A World Health Organization (WHO) official stressed on Tuesday (20) that mpox, whether a new or old strain, is not the new Covid-19, as authorities know how to control its spread. “We can and must face mpox together,” said Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, at a UN press conference.
“So will we put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally? Or will we enter another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and in the years to come will be a critical test for Europe and the world,” he added.
Mpox, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can be fatal. The clade 1b strain has caused global concern because it appears to spread most easily through routine close contact.
A case of the variant was confirmed last week in Sweden and linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent. The WHO declared the recent outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant was identified.
Kluge said focusing on the new clade 1b strain will also help in the fight against the less severe clade 2 variant, which has been spreading globally since 2022, allowing Europe to improve its response through better health guidance and surveillance.
About 100 new cases of the clade 2 mpox strain are being reported each month in the European region, Kluge added. MPox is transmitted through close physical contact, including sexual contact, but unlike previous global pandemics such as COVID-19, there is no evidence that it spreads easily through the air. Health authorities need to be alert and flexible in case new, more transmissible virus strains emerge or change their transmission route, but there is no recommendation for people to wear masks, WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said.
Via News Agencies
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/08/20/mpox-nao-e-a-nova-covid-19-diz-oficial-da-oms/
