The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a new travel advisory, urging travelers to consider vaccination against mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) if they plan to visit affected regions in Afric, according to The BBC News.
This recommendation follows the emergence of a new strain of the virus, Clade 1b, which has been linked to over 450 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent months.
The ECDC updated its guidelines in response to the rapid spread of this new strain in Africa and the potential for cases to emerge in other continents, including Europe. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the mpox situation a global emergency, the ECDC maintains that the overall risk of widespread transmission in Europe remains low.
Mpox is a viral disease that can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person, including physical contact with blisters or scabs, touching contaminated clothing or bedding, and exposure to respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, which can be severe and potentially fatal.
Pamela Rendi-Wagner, an expert from the ECDC, emphasized the importance of vigilance, particularly given the strong connections between Europe and Africa. “As a result of the rapid spread of this outbreak in Africa, ECDC has increased the level of risk for the general population in the EU/EEA and travelers to affected areas. Due to the close links between Europe and Africa, we must be prepared for more imported Clade 1b cases,” she said.
The ECDC has also advised that those who have previously been vaccinated against mpox may only require a single top-up dose, rather than a full two-shot series, if they are at continued risk of exposure. Booster doses are generally recommended every two to 10 years for individuals who remain at high risk.
Currently, no cases of Clade 1b mpox have been confirmed in the UK, but a case has been reported in Sweden, linked to travel in an affected area in Africa. The ECDC is urging public health authorities across Europe to prepare for the rapid detection and response to any new cases that may arise.
Despite the availability of effective vaccines against mpox, the distribution of doses remains a challenge, with many regions struggling to access the vaccines where they are needed most.
The ECDC continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary.
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