The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday called for urgent action to prevent the spread of monkeypox in Europe, noting that the number of monkeypox cases in Europe has tripled in the past two weeks.
Hans Klüge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said that today he is intensifying his call to governments and civil society to step up efforts to prevent the spread of monkeypox in a wider area.
He stressed that urgent and concerted action is imperative if we want to stop the spread of this disease.
Monkey pox is a rare viral infectious disease most commonly found in Central and West African countries, but has recently affected countries where it had not previously been detected. Although symptoms are similar to smallpox, they are usually milder with itching, fever, and a rash. Sometimes the disease can also have a severe course.
90% of all laboratory-confirmed cases registered in the world, or 4,500 cases, were found in Europe, Klüge said.
Cases of infection have been detected in 31 countries and territories.
Kluge said Europe is at the center of an outbreak that is spreading and the risk remains high.
The WHO does not currently consider the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, but will review its position soon.
The new outbreak of monkeypox has so far mostly affected men involved in homosexual relationships.
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