“International action” is needed to curb the spread of a potentially deadly infection that has already been declared a global health emergency, officials have said. In a major update the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that at least 100 new cases of mpox are being registered in Europe every month.
The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, has sparked significant concern worldwide as cases have skyrocketed in Africa.
Data shows more than 15,000 mpox cases and 461 deaths were reported on the continent in 2024 so far.
This is a 160 per cent rise in cases compared with the same period in 2023, while deaths have increased by about 19 per cent.
It is thought this surge is caused by the clade 1b variety of mpox, which seems to spread more easily though routine close contact.
A case of clade 1b has since been detected in Sweden, prompting further concern.
In a media briefing Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, explained that 100 new cases of the clade 2 strain viral disease are being registered every month Europe. He said: “We can and must tackle mpox together.
“So will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally? Or we will enter another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and in the years to come will prove a critical test for Europe and the world.”
Mpox symptoms include a high temperature, a headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen glands, shivering, exhaustion and joint pain.
According to the NHS, a rash usually appears between one to five days after the first symptoms which typically begins on the face then spreads to other areas of the body.
However, at the same meeting Who officials claimed the outbreak was not “the new Covid”.
WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, commented, “Significant efforts are already underway in close collaboration with communities and governments, with our country teams working on the frontlines to help reinforce measures to curb mpox.
“With the growing spread of the virus, we’re scaling up further through coordinated international action to support countries bring the outbreaks to an end.”
To avoid an mpox infection the NHS recommends you:
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
- Talk to sexual partners about their sexual health and any symptoms they may have
- Be aware of the symptoms of mpox if you’re sexually active, especially if you have new sexual partners
- Take a break from sex and intimate contact if you have symptoms of mpox until you’re seen by a doctor and are told you cannot pass it on
- Do not share bedding or towels with people who may have mpox
- Do not have close contact (within one metre) with people who may have mpox
- Do not go near wild or stray animals, including animals that appear unwell or are dead, while travelling in west and central Africa
- Do not eat or touch meat from wild animals while travelling in west and central Africa.