Mediaboss Marketing

Copenhagen, 17 May 2023

One year since its biggest ever mpox (monkeypox) outbreak, the WHO European Region covering 53 countries across Europe and central Asia is celebrating success in controlling the spread of the disease as the number of cases continues to decline. In the initial months of the outbreak, the European Region had the vast majority of cases globally. But strategic collaboration between health authorities and the most impacted populations including timely risk communications and community engagement, along with a focused mpox vaccination campaign in some of the hardest hit countries helped bring numbers down rapidly to practically no cases being reported at all, in a relatively short time.

Now WHO/Europe is calling for vigilance amid concerns that spring and summertime could see mpox cases flaring up once more. Pre-empting this, and coinciding with the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, WHO/Europe is launching a new mpox campaign today, to remind people that even though it is no longer defined as a public health emergency of international concern, mpox has not gone away; anyone can be infected; and that we have, and must use, the tools to further control and eventually eliminate it.

The new mpox campaign leverages the European Regions year-long experience in responding to this outbreak, including growing evidence on the disease and measures to control it. The campaign will:

The campaign is timely. According to the latest data, at least 17 more people have contracted mpox in eight countries in the WHO European Region, in the four weeks up to 4 May 2023. While the numbers remain low, as does the risk to the broader population, it is vital that health authorities keep monitoring and responding to mpox outbreaks. A possible rise in mpox cases over the coming months could be triggered by:

Our efforts to control the mpox outbreak appear to have paid off, and thats great news. I commend health authorities and the most-impacted communities for their strong partnership in controlling mpox, including vaccine rollout, community outreach and actions to safeguard individual and wider community health, along with concerted efforts not to stigmatize those affected, said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. Elimination is within our reach, but lets not forget that mpox is still circulating, as weve recently seen in our region. Mpox cases could resurge this spring and summer as festivals and events where sexual activities might occur get under way. Some countries in the European Region are still seeing persistent, low levels of transmission. Beyond our region, localized spikes remind us that this outbreak is far from over. Lets renew our collective efforts to ensure we remain on track towards eventual elimination it can be done.

A package of new WHO/Europe publications including an mpox policy brief, a compendium of case studies and a risk communication toolkit outlines the recommended actions that communities, health authorities and providers, and event organizers can take (see below).

Mpox should still very much be a concern to health authorities and the most impacted communities alike in the WHO European Region, said Dr Richard Pebody, High-threat Pathogen Team Lead at WHO/Europe. Cases might be on the rise again this year. And even if we are lucky, and this doesnt happen, mpox could pick up again the following year. We simply cannot be complacent. WHO/Europes latest mpox policy brief offers a roadmap to countries on how to control and ultimately eliminate the disease in our region in the long run.

Im concerned that mpox could come back, you know, the sequel, but Im hopeful weve learned a lot and we have shown that we can come together as a community and really protect ourselves, said Martin Joseph, a United Kingdom-based broadcaster and host of a podcast about mpox. As someone who went through mpox, it was one of the most testing and life-changing experiences from a mental health point of view, and it really impacted me and Ive had to do a lot of work since then to look at my life and look at everything that led to that point.

It is important that the most affected groups predominantly gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men as well as health authorities and health providers remain on high alert, concluded Dr Kluge. As we celebrate diversity and inclusion on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, as well as Pride just around the corner, lets also remind ourselves that we still have a long way to go to stamp out shame and stigma related to sexual health. Its critical that we normalize talking about seemingly sensitive or uncomfortable topics in the interest of our health and well-being. Lets not allow our success in controlling mpox over the past year to be overshadowed by another wave of infections this spring and summer. Be informed; protect yourself and others; and if you can, get vaccinated.

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An mpox resurgence in the European Region this spring and ... - World Health Organization