Mpox: European health authorities issue travel warnings

European health authorities are advising EU countries to issue travel warnings for regions significantly impacted by the Mpox virus.

This advisory follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration of the outbreak as a global health emergency, prompting heightened vigilance across the continent.

On Friday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a warning, predicting an increase in imported mpox cases in Europe due to the ongoing spread of the virus in several African nations. Fortunately, the ECDC assessed that the risk of sustained transmission within Europe remains low, contingent on the swift identification and management of imported cases.

The situation has become more pressing with the detection of a new mpox variant in Sweden, marking the first instance of this strain outside Africa. Bruno Ciancio, head of surveillance at the ECDC, expressed grave concern regarding the deteriorating circumstances in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, where case counts are believed to be significantly underestimated.

To combat further spread in Europe, the ECDC underscored the necessity for rapid identification and containment of cases. In light of this, they have recommended that EU and European Economic Area (EEA) nations provide travel guidance for individuals planning to visit areas affected by mpox.

Since the onset of the outbreak last year, the DRC and other African countries have reported over 500 fatalities, predominantly in the DRC. The WHO’s classification of the outbreak as a global emergency underscores the need for coordinated international efforts to address this public health crisis.

The ECDC highlighted that EU/EEA travelers who have close contact with communities affected by mpox face a higher risk, while close contacts of confirmed or suspected cases in Europe also encounter a moderate risk.

There are two distinct subtypes of the mpox virus: Clade I, which is more severe and endemic to central Africa, and Clade II, which was responsible for the 2022 global outbreak. Several African nations are currently grappling with Clade I and a newly identified strain, Clade Ib. The recent identification of Clade Ib in Sweden has prompted the ECDC to elevate the risk level for EU/EEA travelers and the general population.

While the overall impact in Europe is expected to be minimal, the ECDC insists on maintaining high preparedness levels, including robust surveillance, testing, and contact tracing protocols. Travelers heading to mpox-affected areas are encouraged to consider vaccination for added protection, and European healthcare providers are being urged to remain vigilant for potential cases, despite the disease not being endemic to the region.

Ciancio stressed the importance of taking the risk seriously while also cautioning against overestimating it, highlighting the availability of effective and safe vaccines as a crucial tool in the fight against mpox.