Europe Faces Rising Mpox Cases: Low Transmission Risk but Vigilance Urged

Europe braces for more mpox cases from a new strain, but sustained transmission risk remains low, says Europe's disease prevention agency. Risk is higher for those traveling to affected African regions. More countries, including Sweden, confirmed the presence of the virus. Awareness and preparedness are essential to contain spread.

More imported cases of a new mpox strain will appear in Europe in the coming weeks, but the risk of sustained transmission remains low, the head of Europe's disease prevention agency said on Friday.

The agency raised its risk assessment for sporadic cases of mpox clade I in Europe to moderate on Friday. However, it noted that the risk for travelers to affected areas in Africa, and their contacts, remains high.

"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 Pamela Rendi-Wagner, director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, in an interview. She emphasized the need for European countries to enhance preparedness and raise awareness to prevent further spread.

An outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo caused by two different forms of the virus—an endemic form and a new offshoot called clade Ib—has drawn global concern after spreading to more African countries. Sweden became the first country outside Africa to confirm a case of clade Ib, leading the WHO to declare a global health emergency.

The European CDC advised public health authorities to plan and prepare for quick detection of any clade I cases that may reach Europe. The agency forecasts a low impact from this strain if proper surveillance and control measures are implemented, leveraging expertise from handling mpox clade II in 2022.

During that emergency, the virus spread primarily among men who had sex with men, and behavior changes in conjunction with vaccines brought it under control. Mpox, a viral infection causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, can be fatal in rare cases. It spreads through close contact, including sexual contact, and clade Ib appears to spread more readily, though questions about its severity remain open, Rendi-Wagner said.

Anyone with symptoms and travel history to affected African areas should immediately contact a doctor. "Test, test, test, in order to find the suspect cases in Europe as soon as possible and avoid further spreading," she recommended.

(With inputs from agencies.)