Hans Kluge of the WHO insists on raising awareness: “Is our greatest weapon against monkey pox”

Hans Kluge emphasizes raising awareness in the first place. “We have a first success story in Portugal where the numbers show a downward trend by working closely with the groups where the risk of exposure is high, especially among gays who have multiple sexual partners,” Kluge said in “The Morning”.

He advocates making access to tests as easy as possible. “Also support patients who have to be in isolation on sick leave. Remove the stigma. And if more vaccines become available: vaccinate,” advises Kluge. He explains that there are currently not that many vaccines available and that they are best used in a targeted manner. Belgium, for example, has purchased 3,000 vaccines and is waiting for another 30,000 additional doses.

Kluge does not expect the situation to become dramatic, but warns: “There are still countries that have not taken action. There was little awareness at Pride in London. So there is still work to be done. And don’t forget: we don’t know why the virus is now spreading in Europe and in a particular target group. Virologists are closely monitoring how monkey pox is evolving. We need to avoid mutations.”

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