EU urges vigilance, vaccination as deadly mpox strain spreads

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has called for increased vigilance and vaccination against mpox amid concerns over a more deadly strain of the virus.

In a recent risk assessment, the ECDC advised that travelers to regions affected by this severe variant, known as clade I, should consult health professionals about vaccination options. This recommendation follows the detection of the first case outside Africa in Sweden, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency on Wednesday due to the rapid spread of this more dangerous strain, primarily circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring areas, where it has caused at least 517 deaths and more than 17,000 suspected cases this year.

Sweden, which reported the first confirmed case of clade I outside Africa, has initiated preventive measures but does not currently see a need for additional infection control actions. Sweden's chief epidemiologist, Magnus Gisslén, emphasized the seriousness of the outbreak but noted that the current situation does not warrant extra measures beyond ongoing assessments.

The ECDC considers the risk of widespread transmission in Europe to be low but acknowledges a moderate risk for those with underlying health conditions, particularly those with weakened immune systems. The new emergency is largely driven by clade I, which is associated with higher severity and fatality rates compared to clade II, the strain prevalent during the 2022 outbreak in Europe and North America.

European countries are better prepared this time with available vaccines. Ireland and Italy have sufficient stocks of Bavarian Nordic's Imvanex vaccine and are considering new vaccination programs. The Netherlands has approximately 100,000 doses on hand and is deliberating on possible donations to Africa. Spain and the Czech Republic also report adequate vaccine supplies and recommend vaccination for travelers to affected regions.

However, the suitability of existing vaccines, such as Imvanex, for children—who are more affected by clade I—is uncertain, as it is not authorized for use in this age group in Europe.

In response to the outbreak, the UK government has issued an urgent health message to ensure healthcare providers are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) and trained for handling potential cases. Denmark has assessed the risk as minimal but is monitoring the situation closely.

The EU’s health security committee will convene on August 19 to discuss coordinated responses and support for member states. The ECDC continues to collaborate with Africa CDC to enhance outbreak responses and guide future research on clade I mpox.