The recent surge of mpox cases across several African countries has sparked concerns, but experts emphasize that the situation is not akin to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the growing alarm, particularly regarding a potentially more transmissible variant, experts advise against panic.
The new strain, known as clade 1b, has been detected in Sweden and Thailand, with both cases linked to travel from countries grappling with outbreaks. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the need for vigilance as this new variant may pose a higher transmission risk.
Dr. Marc-Alain Widdowson, WHO Europe’s lead on high-threat pathogens, reassured Euronews Health that mpox is not comparable to COVID-19. Unlike the airborne transmission of COVID-19, mpox requires prolonged or intense human-to-human contact for spread. “People shouldn’t be alarmed in Europe about a COVID-like situation suddenly happening because of mpox,” he said. Dr. Widdowson pointed out that mpox primarily spreads through close contact, with sexual transmission being predominant in Europe.
The less severe clade II of mpox continues to circulate in Europe, with about 100 new cases reported monthly. However, the emergence of clade 1b, a more severe variant, has raised concerns. “The new variant is showing much greater human-to-human transmission,” warned Dr. Shema Tariq, a principal research fellow at University College London. Despite these concerns, mpox’s transmission remains less efficient compared to airborne pathogens like COVID-19.
Experts stress the importance of ongoing surveillance and prompt action to prevent the spread of clade 1b. Dr. Tariq highlighted the opportunity to enhance responses by focusing on vaccination, case detection, and diagnostic improvements. Widdowson echoed this sentiment, urging European governments to enhance surveillance, report data transparently, and avoid complacency.
In response to the outbreak, the European Commission has partnered with Bavarian Nordic to provide over 215,000 doses of the MVA-BN mpox vaccine to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced 232 vaccination sites across France and pledged an additional 100,000 vaccine doses to the most affected countries.
Dr. Tariq emphasized that the current outbreaks offer crucial lessons about global vaccine equity, pointing to past criticisms of vaccine distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. The need for equitable access to vaccines and treatments remains a key issue in global health negotiations.
The WHO does not recommend border closures or travel restrictions, which could contribute to stigma and hinder international cooperation. Instead, the focus remains on effective response strategies and equitable vaccine distribution to mitigate the impact of mpox.
