Europe's Mpox Clade 1 Outbreak Risk is Low and Moderate

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) today announced the likelihood of infection with mpox virus (MPXV) clade I for EU/EEA citizens traveling to or living in the affected areas and having close contact with affected communities is high, while the likelihood of infection is low when contacts with affected communities are avoided.

The severity of the mpox disease is expected to be low.

Overall, the ECDC's updated risk assessment for these populations is moderate and low, respectively.

“As a result of the rapid spread of this (mpox) 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 I cases,” says Pamela Rendi-Wagner, Director of ECDC, in a press release.

As of August 16, 2024, the ECDC says to contain any possible clade 1 mpox outbreak in Europe, detecting cases and preventing secondary transmission is vital. This goal can be achieved through:

• Providing advice to travelers to affected areas on national guidance for vaccination against mpox before traveling. In many countries, the JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®) vaccine is available. And offering travel advice to people visiting or returning from African countries with confirmed MPXV clade I outbreaks.
• Rapidly isolating suspected cases until proven negative and, if positive, until symptom resolution. And implementing contact tracing and testing close contacts of confirmed cases following ECDC testing protocols.
• Continuing risk communication activities and working with civil society organizations to engage population groups at higher risk of infection.

On August 14, 2024, the WHO Director-General determined that the increase of mpox clade 1 virus cases in African countries constitutes a new public health emergency.

In the United States, no clade 1 mpox cases have been detected by the U.S. CDC, and the JYNNEOS vaccine remains available.