WHO official dismisses Mpox as new COVID variant

• Mpox, a viral infection causing pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can be fatal.
• The clade 1b variety has raised global concern due to its spread through routine close contact.
• Sweden confirmed a case of the variant linked to a growing outbreak in Africa.

A World Health Organization official emphasized on Tuesday that mpox, whether it is a new or old strain, is not the new COVID. Authorities know how to control its spread.

“We can and must tackle mpox together,” said Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, in a UN media briefing.

“So will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally? Or we will enter another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and in the years to come will prove 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 variety has raised global concern because it appears to spread more easily through routine close contact.

Last week, Sweden confirmed a case of the variant linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, marking the first sign of its spread outside the continent. The WHO declared the recent outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after identifying the new variant.

Kluge said that focusing on the new clade 1 strain will also aid in combating the less severe clade 2 variety, which has been spreading globally since 2022. This focus will help Europe enhance its response through improved health advice and surveillance.

Kluge added that about 100 new cases of the clade 2 mpox strain are now reported in the European region each month. Mpox transmits 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.

WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said that health authorities need to remain alert and flexible in case new, more transmissible clades emerge or if the transmission route changes. However, he added that there are no recommendations for people to wear masks.

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