WHO pushes Europe to fight virus
Monkeypox cases on the continent have tripled, representing 90% of global total.
LONDON — The World Health Organization’s Europe chief warned Friday that monkeypox cases have tripled in the last two weeks and urged countries to do more to ensure that the disease does not become entrenched on the continent.
Dr. Hans Kluge said in a statement that broader efforts are needed, despite last week’s decision by the United Nations health agency that the escalating outbreak does not warrant being declared a global health emergency.
“Urgent and coordinated action is imperative if we are to turn a corner in the race to reverse the ongoing spread of this disease,” Kluge said.
More than 5,000 monkeypox cases have been reported from 51 countries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kluge said infections in Europe represent about 90% of the global total, noting that 31 countries in the WHO’s European region have identified cases.
Kluge said data reported to the WHO show that 99% of cases have been among men and that most have been among men who have sex with men. But he said there are “small numbers” of cases among household contacts, including children.
Most people reported symptoms including rash, fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting and chills.
Scientists warn that anyone who is in close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox or with their clothing or bed linens is at risk of infection, regardless of sexual orientation. Vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women are thought to be more likely to suffer severe disease.
About 10% of patients were hospitalized for treatment or isolation, and one person was admitted to an intensive care unit. No deaths have been reported.
Kluge said stigmatization might make those who contract the virus wary of seeking care and said the WHO is working with partners, including organizers of gay pride events, to combat the problem.
In Britain, which has the biggest monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa, officials have noted that the disease is spreading in “defined sexual networks of gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men.” British health authorities said there were no signs suggesting sustained transmission beyond those populations.
A WHO advisor said in May that the spike in cases in Europe was probably tied to sexual activity among men at two rave parties in Spain and Belgium, speculating that the disease’s appearance in the gay and bisexual communities was a “random event.”
Ahead of gay pride events in Britain this weekend, London’s top public health doctor asked people with symptoms of monkeypox to stay home.
Kluge appealed to countries to scale up monkeypox surveillance and genetic sequencing so that cases can be quickly identified and measures taken to prevent transmission. He said the procurement of vaccines “must apply the principles of equity.”
The main vaccine being used against monkeypox was originally developed for smallpox. The European Medicines Agency said this week that it was evaluating whether the shot should be authorized for monkeypox. The WHO has said supplies of the vaccine, made by Bavarian Nordic, are extremely limited.