An expert has spoken out on the widespread panic of Mpox, also known as Monkeypox , after it has already hit Europe. The UK has been warned that the virus could spread in coming weeks. Leading World Health Organization expert Dr Hans Kluge has stated the virus "not the new Covid" despite WHO declaring a global health alert following its outbreak which originated in Africa.
Since the start of the year, there have been 1,500 cases and 450 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone. Dr Kluge states that Europle must "come together" in a video address to the media made on Tuesday. It has now been reported that a more concerning strain of the virus has been responsible for 450 of the deaths and is known as Clade 1, detected in Sweden.
There are two types of Clade 1 and the Swedish case has been identified as Clade 1b. People have been urged to stay alert for the warning signs of the rare infection, which can be transmitted through close sexual contact. However, Dr Kluge insists experts are well equipped and aware on how to tackle the virus, through the means of public health measures and vaccinations where necessary.
"The need for a co-ordinated response is the greatest in the African region," Dr Kluge explained. He adds that the risk to the general population continues to be low, despite previously reports suggesting the lethal strain is "10 times more deadly." Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Paul Hunter, Professor of Medicine at the University of East Anglia, told the Mirror that the strain "may well be here" already due to a delay in the testing and diagnosis. Dr Hunter said: "If I was to bet, I'd bet on it already being in the country, because by the time you get infected and diagnosed to understand what Clade it is, you're looking at around two weeks. "Two years ago, we controlled Mpox in Europe thanks to the direct engagement with the most affected communities of men who have sex with men," Dr Kluge said.
"In 2022, Mpox showed us it can spread quickly around the world." He concluded: "We can, and must, tackle Mpox together – across regions and continents. Will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate Mpox globally or will we enter another cycle of panic, then neglect?" The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention maintains it has a "clear plan" for the rollout of 10 million doses of vaccine across the continent.
The DRC and Nigeria will begin vaccinating from next week. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
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