This alert comes as a first case of the new variant of the disease, more contagious and more dangerous, has been identified on the continent, in Sweden.
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Health authorities are closely monitoring the new variant of mpox. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Thursday, August 15, that other imported cases of mpox were likely to be detected soon in Europe, while Sweden has just reported a case of this more contagious and dangerous variant of this disease, the first outside Africa. “It is likely that further imported cases of clade 1 will be recorded in the European region in the coming days and weeks”the WHO’s European branch said in a statement.
The WHO on Wednesday raised its highest level of alert internationally in the face of a resurgence of cases of MPOX on the African continent. A total of 38,465 cases of the disease, formerly known as monkeypox, have been reported in 16 African countries since January 2022, with 1,456 deaths, according to data released last week by the African Union’s health agency, Africa CDC. The number of cases increased by 160% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the source.
According to the latest epidemiological report, the Democratic Republic of Congo “has recorded 15,664 potential cases and 548 deaths since the beginning of the year”said Congolese Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba on Thursday.
For the WHO, “It is imperative that we do not stigmatize travelers or countries/regions”. “Only by working together, sharing data and taking necessary public health measures can we control the spread of this virus.”added the organization, which considers it crucial to avoid travel restrictions and border closures.
