ECDC warns of increase in monkeypox cases

“It is highly likely that further cases of the new, more contagious monkeypox variant will be reported in the European Union,” the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said on Friday. However, it stressed that the likelihood of sustained transmission of the virus in Europe is very low.

“However, there must be imported cases quickly diagnosed and control measures must be implemented” – the Stockholm-based EU agency noted in a statement. ECDC expects that thanks to Member States’ rapid responses to reported cases and strong health care, the impact of monkeypox in the EU will be limited.

And that in the Stockholm region, the first case of the new variant outside the African continent was confirmed on Thursday. Swedish authorities said the patient was a person who had previously been to the region where the outbreak of the disease occurred.

A new variant of the monkeypox virus, considered more contagious and deadly, is now spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other West African countries. As a result of the rapid spread of this epidemic in Africa, the ECDC has increased the risk level for EU travellers to affected areas.

The EU agency believes that due to the close ties between the EU and Africa EU countries must issue travel recommendations for people visiting areas affected by the epidemic. The ECDC warns that the likelihood of infection for EU people travelling to affected areas is high.

The ECDC recommended raising awareness among healthcare professionals in the EU. Member states should also report new cases at EU level. In addition, travelers to affected areas should consult their doctor about eligibility for monkeypox vaccination.

Monkeypox (mpox) is a zoonotic infectious disease that, under favorable conditions, can also be transmitted from person to person. Regarding the emergence of a new and more dangerous form of monkeypox, which can kill up to 10 percent. sickscientists reported earlier this year.

The disease spreads mainly through close contact with infected people, including sex. Unlike previous outbreaks, when lesions were seen mainly on the chest, hands and feet, the new form causes lesions on the genitals. This makes it harder to detect, meaning people can also infect others without knowing they are infected.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization announced that Monkeypox outbreaks in Congo and other African countries introduce a “public health emergency of international concern”. They currently occur in several countries, affecting adults and children – more than 17,000 cases have been reported since the beginning of the year. In these cases, more than 500 people have died.