The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that mpox, a viral disease recently declared a global public health emergency, should not be seen as “the new COVID-19.”
Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, addressed journalists on Tuesday, underscoring that the threat mpox poses to the general public remains “low.” He also stressed the importance of a robust political commitment from European governments to eradicate the virus, while urging solidarity with African nations.
Dr. Kluge was clear in dismissing any parallels between the mpox outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know how to control mpox,” he said, noting that the measures necessary to eliminate its transmission in Europe are well understood.
He explained that whether dealing with mpox clade 1 — responsible for the ongoing outbreak in east-central Africa — or clade 2, which has been circulating in Europe since 2022, the strategies for containment are established.
The virus primarily spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including during sexual activity, particularly among those with visible mpox lesions. Dr. Kluge firmly rejected the notion that Europe could face COVID-like lockdowns due to mpox, labeling such concerns unfounded.
Reflecting on the 2022 mpox outbreak in Europe, Dr. Kluge pointed out that it was successfully contained through direct engagement with affected communities, particularly men who have sex with men.
Key factors in this success included behavior change, non-discriminatory public health initiatives, and targeted mpox vaccinations. Despite this, he lamented that the region failed to completely eradicate the virus, with approximately 100 new clade 2 cases still being reported monthly.
In a concerning development, Sweden recently became the first non-African country to report a case of the more severe clade 1 variant, which has been spreading from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to neighboring countries.
This case involved an individual who had traveled to an affected area in Africa. Dr. Kluge urged European health authorities to use this heightened alert as an opportunity to intensify efforts against clade 2, aiming to eliminate it “once and for all.”
Boosting Vaccine Access in Africa Crucial
The WHO also called for greater European solidarity with Africa, especially in terms of equitable access to vaccines. WHO has recommended the use of MVA-BN, LC16, or ACAM2000 vaccines, which were initially developed to combat smallpox.
The MVA-BN vaccine manufacturer, Bavarian Nordic, is expected to produce up to 10 million doses by the end of 2025, with two million doses available this year.
LC16, produced in Japan, also has a significant stockpile, and Japan has a history of donating vaccines, with current negotiations underway with the DRC Government.
The situation in the DRC is particularly dire, with over 15,600 mpox cases and approximately 540 deaths reported so far this year.
This has prompted WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to initiate the “Emergency Use Listing” process for mpox vaccines.
This move aims to accelerate access to vaccines in lower-income countries that have not yet secured regulatory approval. The process also facilitates procurement by WHO partners, such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF.
Dr. Kluge expressed optimism regarding the European Union’s ongoing vaccine donations, though he cautioned that this generosity will be tested if the demand for vaccines increases within the EU.
As such, while mpox has raised global health concerns, the WHO is confident in its ability to manage and eventually eradicate the virus.
However, this will require strong political will, international cooperation, and a commitment to equitable vaccine distribution, particularly in Africa.
