A World Health Organization (WHO) official emphasized today that Mpox, whether it’s the new or old strain of the disease, is not the new COVID-19, as health authorities have the knowledge to control its spread.
“We can and must tackle Mpox together,” said Hans Kluge, WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, during a press briefing. “So, will we choose to implement the systems to control and eliminate Mpox globally, or will we enter yet another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and in the coming years will be a crucial test for Europe and the world,” Kluge stressed.
EU rules out border controls and coordinated vaccination plan for Mpox
European health authorities have rejected the proposal to implement additional measures to address the Mpox virus in Europe, as the risk it poses to the general population remains “low,” according to Euronews. The European Commission’s Health and Safety Committee concluded on August 19th that there is no need to impose border controls or initiate a bloc-wide vaccination campaign following a meeting between the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
