The World Health Organization (WHO) has assured that the ongoing mpox outbreak is not comparable to the Covid-19 pandemic, emphasizing that much is already known about the virus and the measures needed to control its spread.
Speaking on Tuesday, WHO’s European Regional Director, Hans Kluge, acknowledged that while further research is needed on the Clade 1b strain—which prompted the WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)—the situation remains manageable. Kluge stated that the spread of mpox, also known as monkeypox, can be contained with appropriate actions.
In July 2022, the WHO declared a PHEIC over the global outbreak of the less severe Clade 2b strain of mpox, which primarily affected gay and bisexual men. This alarm was lifted in May 2023.
“Mpox is not the new Covid. We know how to control mpox. And in the European region, the steps needed to eliminate its transmission altogether,” Kluge stated during a media briefing in Geneva, conducted via video link.
He highlighted the success of previous efforts in Europe to control mpox through direct engagement with the most affected communities, robust surveillance, thorough investigation of new cases and contacts, and sound public health advice.
“Behavior change, non-discriminatory public health action, and mpox vaccination contributed to controlling the outbreak,” Kluge emphasized, noting that the risk to the general population remains low.
Addressing concerns about potential lockdowns, Kluge dismissed the idea, saying, “Are we going to go in lockdown in the WHO European region, it’s another COVID-19? The answer is clearly: ‘no’.”
Kluge explained that the primary mode of mpox transmission continues to be close skin-to-skin contact. However, he acknowledged the possibility of transmission via droplets from individuals in the acute phase of infection, particularly those with blisters in the mouth, in close-contact settings such as homes or hospitals.
“The modes of transmission are still a bit unclear. More research is required,” Kluge noted.
WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic added that the WHO is not recommending the use of masks or mass vaccination. “We are recommending the use of vaccines in outbreak settings for the groups who are most at risk,” he said.
The WHO declared an international health emergency on August 14 due to a rise in cases of the Clade 1b strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its spread to neighboring countries.
