Mpox Outbreak: WHO Provides Guidance Amid Rising Cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is not the new COVID-19, as health authorities are equipped to manage its spread, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

WHO Europe chief Hans Kluge reports approximately 100 new mpox cases monthly in Europe, primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, particularly during sexual interactions.

While anyone can contract mpox, those in close contact with infected individuals are at higher risk. The WHO has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, urging countries to remain vigilant.

To combat the outbreak, the WHO recommends targeted vaccination for those in high-risk areas rather than mass vaccination. A new strain, Clade 1b, raises concerns due to its rapid transmission and higher fatality rates, especially among vulnerable populations like children. Effective measures such as surveillance, contact tracing, and isolation are crucial to controlling the virus without imposing lockdowns, distinguishing its transmission from airborne diseases like COVID-19.