Monkeypox Cases Continue to Decline in Europe, as WHO Warns of Ongoing Risk
Mpox cases in Europe have declined significantly since the peak of the outbreak in August 2022, according to a new report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Despite the decline, the WHO warns that the risk of further transmission remains, and countries should continue to implement robust surveillance and control measures.
The ECDC-WHO report, published on January 12, 2023, provides an overview of the latest epidemiological trends of the ongoing mpox outbreak in the WHO European Region.
As of January 10, 2023, a total of 16,287 laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox have been reported from 31 countries in the WHO European Region, with the majority of cases reported from Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
The number of new cases reported per week has declined steadily since the peak of the outbreak in August 2022, with less than 100 new cases reported per week since October 2022.
- The decline in cases is likely due to a combination of factors, including increased vaccination coverage, public health measures, and behavioral changes.
- However, the WHO warns that the risk of further transmission remains, particularly in countries with ongoing community transmission.
The WHO recommends that countries continue to implement robust surveillance and control measures, including:
- Early detection and isolation of cases
- Contact tracing and management
- Vaccination of high-risk groups
- Public health education and awareness
The WHO also emphasizes the importance of continued research to better understand the virus and its transmission, as well as the development of new vaccines and treatments.
The next ECDC-WHO Mpox Surveillance Bulletin will be published on February 16, 2023.
References:
- ECDC-WHO Regional Office for Europe Mpox Surveillance Bulletin
- WHO Monkeypox Outbreak Global Situation
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