WHO experts confirm that monkeypox will not spread as heavily as COVID-19 and can be stopped with cooperation from everyone
On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, Dr. Hans Kluge, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, confirmed to reporters that the outbreak of “Mpox” (formerly known as “monkeypox”) will not be like COVID-19, as officials clearly know how to control the spread of the disease.
Dr. Kluge acknowledged that although there are concerns about new variants of this virus and a public health emergency has been declared, if we cooperate, we can manage Mpox. Immediate proactive measures, including ensuring vaccine accessibility to the areas in need, will stop the cycle of panic and negligence.
“The risk to the general public remains low,” Dr. Kluge stated. “Will it be like COVID-19 again? Will the WHO Europe branch lock down again? The clear answer is no.”
“Two years ago, we controlled Mpox in Europe by directly caring for the most affected groups, namely men who have sex with men.”
“In 2022, Mpox showed us that it can spread rapidly worldwide,” Dr. Kluge said. “We can and must tackle Mpox together, across all regions and continents. Will we choose to establish systems to control and eliminate Mpox globally or will we fall into a cycle of panic and negligence again?”
Currently, the Mpox virus that is spreading worldwide has two main clades: Clade 1, which has long been endemic in Africa and was only recently detected outside Africa for the first time last week; this strain has mutated into Clade 1b and is spreading rapidly in multiple areas of Africa.
The other strain is Clade 2, which spread globally in 2022, resulting in over 87,000 infections and 140 deaths.
Dr. Kluge also confirmed that officials receive reports of around 100 new Clade 2 infections in Europe each month.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization recommends that individuals planning to travel to areas experiencing outbreaks in Africa get vaccinated beforehand and does not recommend the use of face masks, as monkeypox can be transmitted through direct contact.
On the other hand, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that they have a clear plan to procure 10 million vaccine doses for distribution in outbreak areas, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria preparing to start vaccinating high-risk populations next week.
Bavarian Nordic, a Danish vaccine manufacturer, announced that they will provide their vaccine production technology to manufacturers in Africa to enable local production immediately, thereby increasing supply and reducing costs.
Future Trends in Global Health: Addressing Mpox and Vaccine Distribution
As confirmed by Dr. Hans Kluge, the Regional Director for Europe at the World Health Organization (WHO), the current outbreak of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is unlikely to escalate into a pandemic as severe as COVID-19. This assertion derives from previous experiences that illustrate the necessity of proactive measures to manage outbreaks effectively.
The WHO emphasizes a collaborative approach in combating Mpox. Past successes in controlling the virus were achieved through direct assistance to the most affected communities, particularly among men who have sex with men. This knowledge forms a strong basis for future strategies, highlighting the importance of targeted health interventions.
Global health authorities are faced with the urgent task of managing new strains of the Mpox virus. Two key clades have emerged: Clade 1, which has been endemic in Africa, and Clade 2, which rapidly spread worldwide in 2022. These variations underline the need for international vigilance and coordinated response efforts.
The WHO has advised travelers to regions experiencing outbreaks to get vaccinated prior to travel, marking a shift toward preventive healthcare measures. Vaccination programs are expected to expand, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria planning to roll out vaccines for high-risk populations. Such initiatives signal a significant trend toward localized vaccine production, especially as companies like Bavarian Nordic aim to facilitate vaccine manufacturing in Africa, thereby increasing accessibility and reducing costs.
The integration of technology in vaccination rollout is poised to transform public health responses. By ensuring vaccines are locally produced, health authorities can better adapt to outbreak dynamics and lead to quicker, more effective containment efforts.
Ultimately, the commitment to swift and strategic health responses could redefine global health management, demonstrating that with collaboration and innovation, emerging health threats can be mitigated more effectively than in the past.