The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today raised the alert level for mpox (monkey pox) and asked countries to maintain high levels of information for travelers coming from areas affected by the virus.
The European agency said it now sees a "moderate" mpox risk, compared to a "low" risk earlier, for the general population and travelers. He added that the possibility of transmission in Europe remains very low, given that imported infections are quickly diagnosed and control measures implemented.
The European CDC advised public health authorities to prepare plans and prepare for rapid detection of possible infections
The current outbreak of the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo began with the spread of an endemic strain known as clade I. But a new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through everyday close contact, including sexual contact.
"Because of the close connections between Europe and Africa, we need to prepare for more imported clade I infections," said agency director Pamela Reddy Wagner.
CDC recommendations
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the disease in Africa a public health emergency after infections with the clade Ib strain began to spread to DR Congo's neighboring countries. Yesterday, Thursday, an infection with the new strain was confirmed in Sweden, the first sign of its spread outside of Africa.
The European CDC recommended that public health authorities prepare plans and prepare for rapid detection of any clade I infections that may reach Europe. He predicts that the impact of this strain of the virus will be small in Europe as long as appropriate surveillance and control measures are in place.
Mpox is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and, although often mild, can be fatal in rare cases.