The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has raised its mpox risk level to “moderate” following the first case of a new strain in Sweden. WHO declares mpox a global public health emergency.
Bollywood Fever: The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) raised its risk level for mpox on Friday, following the confirmation of the first case of a new strain of the virus outside Africa in Sweden.
The risk level was increased from “low” to “moderate” for sporadic cases in the European Union, as the public health body anticipates more imported cases in the coming weeks.
The new strain, identified as clade Ib, emerged following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has since spread to neighboring countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) responded by declaring mpox a global public health emergency—the highest level of alert—on Wednesday.
The virus, which causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can be fatal.
Pamela Rendi Wagner, director of the ECDC, emphasized the need for heightened awareness among travelers returning from affected areas, given the close ties between Europe and Africa.
While the risk of sustained transmission in Europe remains low, health authorities are on high alert.
In parallel developments, Pakistan confirmed its first mpox case on Friday in a patient returning from a Gulf country.
However, it remains unclear whether this case is related to the new variant or the globally spreading strain since 2022.
WHO official Margaret Harris indicated that more cases outside Africa are expected to emerge soon due to enhanced monitoring efforts.
Despite the rising number of cases, the WHO has advised against imposing travel restrictions.
China, however, announced plans to monitor people and goods entering the country for mpox for the next six months.
The WHO is also focused on ensuring equitable global access to diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccines for the virus.
Far more resources are needed in Africa to effectively combat the outbreak, particularly the new mpox strain, according to the Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian network.
The growing concern over mpox has led to a surge in the stock prices of pharmaceutical companies involved in vaccine development.
Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic saw its shares rise by 20% after submitting data to the EU’s drug regulator to extend the use of its mpox and smallpox vaccine to adolescents.
Similarly, New Jersey-based Tonix Pharmaceuticals and other mpox vaccine developers like Emergent BioSolutions and GeoVax Labs also experienced gains in their stock prices as they ramp up efforts to advance their vaccine candidates.
As the global health community mobilizes to address this escalating crisis, the focus remains on preventing further spread and ensuring that affected regions receive the necessary support and resources to manage the outbreak effectively.
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