European CDC Raises Mpox Risk Alert Level Amid New Variant Spread

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has increased the risk alert level for mpox to 'moderate' for travellers and the broader population. The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo involves a new variant, clade Ib, which spreads more easily through close contact. While the likelihood of sustained transmission in Europe is low, the CDC urges preparedness for quick detection and response.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) raised its risk alert level for mpox on Friday, urging countries to maintain high levels of awareness among travellers from affected areas.

The agency now categorizes the risk of mpox as 'moderate' for both the broader population and travellers, up from 'low' earlier. It emphasized that the likelihood of sustained transmission in Europe remains very low, provided imported cases are swiftly diagnosed and control measures are implemented. The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo started with an endemic strain known as clade I. However, a new variant called clade Ib appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact.

'Due to the close links between Europe and Africa, we must be prepared for more imported clade I cases,' said the agency's director, Pamela Rendi Wagner. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared the African outbreak a public health emergency after clade Ib cases began spreading to neighboring countries. On Thursday, a case of the new offshoot was confirmed in Sweden, marking its first spread outside Africa.

The European CDC advises public health authorities to plan and prepare for the quick detection of any clade I cases that may reach Europe. It predicts minimal impact from this virus strain in Europe if proper surveillance and control measures are in place. Mpox, a viral infection, causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions and can be fatal in rare instances.

(With inputs from agencies.)