European health authorities have warned that it is “highly likely” Europe will see more imported cases of mpox, a virus outbreak declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization. The virus has been spreading in Africa, with a more severe strain detected in Sweden.
The European Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) stated that the likelihood of sustained transmission in Europe is low, as long as imported cases are diagnosed quickly and measures are taken to control them. However, the agency recommended that EU and EEA countries issue travel advice for areas impacted by mpox.
The ECDC also emphasized the importance of preparedness planning and awareness-raising activities to handle cases of the virus in Europe. This includes effective surveillance, testing, and contact tracing to detect cases of mpox. Travellers to impacted areas are encouraged to consider getting vaccinated.
While European health authorities believe that the impact of the virus in Europe will be low, they stress the need for high levels of preparedness. This is in response to the rapid spread of the outbreak in Africa and the close links between Europe and the affected areas.
The agency’s director, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, urged for a coordinated international effort to address the crisis and to be prepared for more imported cases of the virus. Multiple African countries are currently dealing with an outbreak of the virus, which has so far killed over 500 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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