Monkeypox Clade I sparks global concern, WHO urges vigilance
Monkeypox, an infectious disease with symptoms similar to the flu, is causing concern worldwide. The course of the illness is generally mild, but in some cases, it can be fatal. The World Health Organization issued a reassuring message on Tuesday.
According to WHO data, approximately 100 cases of Clade II monkeypox are reported each month in Europe. This type of monkeypox manifests as a rash, fever, and headache. The symptoms are similar to those that appear with the flu.
The new variant of the disease – Clade I – has caused global concern due to the rapid transmission of this virus. Last week, one case of this disease was detected in Sweden. It was linked to a large wave of infections in Africa. According to Swedish authorities, the patient had been in a region where there is an outbreak of the disease. It spreads mainly through close contact with infected individuals, including through sex. In Africa, the source of infection is meat.
Monkeypox is not the new Covid-19, assured Hans Kluge, Regional Director for Europe at the World Health Organization (WHO), on Tuesday.
WHO assures: The virus is under control
He explained that regardless of the variant of the disease, which has affected countries in Central Africa, the transmission of the virus is under control.
Kluge emphasized that the way we address monkeypox in the coming years will be a critical challenge for Europe and the world. He questioned whether we will create a global system to monitor and eradicate the virus or if we will fall into another cycle of panic followed by neglecting the threat.
At the beginning of the year, scientists reported the emergence of a new, more dangerous form of monkeypox that can kill up to 10 percent of those infected. Since the beginning of 2024, more than 17,000 cases have been recorded, and over 500 people have died.
Director Kluge assessed that focusing on the new variant of the disease (Clade I) gives European countries the opportunity to implement changes in existing guidelines and healthcare control tools by analyzing the already present primary variant of the disease (Clade II) on the continent.
The new strain of the virus is currently spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other West African countries. Monkeypox outbreaks are currently occurring in several countries. Both adults and children are falling ill.
