Monkeypox cases have tripled in the European Region over the past two weeks
1 July 2022
Statement by WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge
Today, I am intensifying my call for governments and civil society to scale up efforts in the coming weeks and months to prevent monkeypox from establishing itself across a growing geographical area. Urgent and coordinated action is imperative if we are to turn a corner in the race to reverse the ongoing spread of this disease.
The European Region remains at the centre of this expanding outbreak
Although last week the IHR Emergency Committee advised that the outbreak at this stage should be determined to not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the rapid evolution and emergency nature of the event means that the Committee will revisit its position shortly. In the meantime, WHO continues to assess the risk of monkeypox in the European Region as high, given the continued threat to public health and the rapid expansion of the disease, with continued challenges hampering our response, and with additional cases being reported among women and children. ...
No room for complacency
So let me be clear. There is simply no room for complacency – especially right here in the European Region with its fast-moving outbreak that with every hour, day and week is extending its reach into previously unaffected areas. ...
So let me underscore once again the basics that are needed.
First, countries must quickly scale up surveillance for monkeypox, including sequencing, and obtain the capacity to diagnose and respond to the disease. Cases need to be found and investigated by a laboratory, and contacts identified promptly, so that the risk of onward spread can be reduced. WHO/Europe is working to support countries by delivering monkeypox virus tests and associated diagnostic training to 17 Member States. We have already delivered almost 3000 tests to seven Member States and shipments to others are in process.
Second, the right messages conveyed in the most understandable way must be disseminated to impacted communities and the wider public. WHO/Europe and ECDC have issued joint guidance on risk communication, mass gatherings and summer events, and a toolkit for local health authorities is being launched imminently.
Third, and not least, addressing monkeypox requires firm political commitment complemented by sound public health investments. As with any challenge, political leadership is required to support the public health response. Transparency goes hand in hand with public trust to ensure that gaps in responding to monkeypox can be swiftly addressed, and that countries partner with WHO and with each other for the collective good. The procurement and use of vaccines must apply the principles of equity and needs-based deployment. They must be undertaken in ways that generate evidence for this intervention, including the use of standard protocols evaluating vaccine effectiveness, and with systems in place to monitor the safety of these products as they are deployed in different population groups.
1 July 2022
Statement by WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge
Today, I am intensifying my call for governments and civil society to scale up efforts in the coming weeks and months to prevent monkeypox from establishing itself across a growing geographical area. Urgent and coordinated action is imperative if we are to turn a corner in the race to reverse the ongoing spread of this disease.
The European Region remains at the centre of this expanding outbreak
Although last week the IHR Emergency Committee advised that the outbreak at this stage should be determined to not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the rapid evolution and emergency nature of the event means that the Committee will revisit its position shortly. In the meantime, WHO continues to assess the risk of monkeypox in the European Region as high, given the continued threat to public health and the rapid expansion of the disease, with continued challenges hampering our response, and with additional cases being reported among women and children. ...
No room for complacency
So let me be clear. There is simply no room for complacency – especially right here in the European Region with its fast-moving outbreak that with every hour, day and week is extending its reach into previously unaffected areas. ...
So let me underscore once again the basics that are needed.
First, countries must quickly scale up surveillance for monkeypox, including sequencing, and obtain the capacity to diagnose and respond to the disease. Cases need to be found and investigated by a laboratory, and contacts identified promptly, so that the risk of onward spread can be reduced. WHO/Europe is working to support countries by delivering monkeypox virus tests and associated diagnostic training to 17 Member States. We have already delivered almost 3000 tests to seven Member States and shipments to others are in process.
Second, the right messages conveyed in the most understandable way must be disseminated to impacted communities and the wider public. WHO/Europe and ECDC have issued joint guidance on risk communication, mass gatherings and summer events, and a toolkit for local health authorities is being launched imminently.
Third, and not least, addressing monkeypox requires firm political commitment complemented by sound public health investments. As with any challenge, political leadership is required to support the public health response. Transparency goes hand in hand with public trust to ensure that gaps in responding to monkeypox can be swiftly addressed, and that countries partner with WHO and with each other for the collective good. The procurement and use of vaccines must apply the principles of equity and needs-based deployment. They must be undertaken in ways that generate evidence for this intervention, including the use of standard protocols evaluating vaccine effectiveness, and with systems in place to monitor the safety of these products as they are deployed in different population groups.