European health authorities have urged EU countries to issue travel warnings for regions impacted by the mpox outbreak, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned that Europe is likely to see more imported cases due to the virus’s spread in several African nations, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries.
The ECDC’s concern follows the detection of a new mpox variant in Sweden, marking the first case of this strain outside Africa. Bruno Ciancio, head of surveillance at the ECDC, expressed alarm over the worsening situation in Africa, where the number of cases is likely underestimated. Despite the growing threat, the ECDC noted that the risk of ongoing transmission within Europe remains low, provided imported cases are swiftly identified and contained.
To prevent further spread in Europe, the ECDC emphasized the need for rapid case identification and containment. EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries are encouraged to issue travel advice for those visiting areas affected by mpox. Travelers to these regions are advised to consider vaccination, while European clinicians are urged to remain vigilant for potential cases, even though the disease is not endemic to Europe.
With over 500 deaths reported in Africa, mostly in the DRC, the WHO’s recent declaration underscores the urgency of coordinated international efforts to tackle the crisis. The ECDC has also raised the risk level for EU/EEA travelers and the general population following the discovery of Clade Ib in Sweden, highlighting the importance of preparedness, including effective surveillance, testing, and contact tracing.