Europe Faces Incoming Cases of New Mpox Strain: Agencies Call for Vigilance

An increase in imported cases of a new mpox strain is expected in Europe, though the risk of sustained transmission is low, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The agency urges European countries to improve preparedness and surveillance to prevent further spread.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has indicated that Europe should brace for more imported cases of a new mpox strain in the coming weeks. Despite this, the risk of sustained transmission is seen as low.

The ECDC has updated its risk assessment for sporadic cases of mpox clade I to moderate, while it's high for travelers to affected African regions in close contact with locals, and moderate for their contacts. The general population's risk level increased from very low to low.

'There will be more cases in the coming weeks. That's the expectation... But regarding the risk [for the] general European population, we have to say that our assessment is that the risk is very low at the moment,' said ECDC director Pamela Rendi-Wagner in an interview.

Countries in Europe are urged to heighten preparedness and raise awareness to curb further spread. An outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, involving two mpox forms, clade Ib and an endemic variant, has raised global alarms as it spread to more African countries.

On Thursday, Sweden confirmed a case of clade Ib, the first outside Africa. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global health emergency. The ECDC advises prompt detection and containment of clade I cases using methods learned from the previous mpox outbreak in 2022.

Mpox, a viral infection resulting in flu-like symptoms and lesions, generally has mild effects but can occasionally be fatal. It spreads through close, often sexual, contact. Clade Ib appears more transmissible among humans than other strains, though its full impact is still under study. Individuals with symptoms and travel history related to affected African areas should seek medical advice immediately.

'Test, test, test, in order to find the suspect cases in Europe as soon as possible and avoid further spreading,' Rendi-Wagner recommended.