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The European Union is ramping up its response to the spread of the mpox virus following the first confirmed case in Sweden. EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides has called an emergency meeting of the Health Security Committee for Monday, where representatives from all member states will gather to discuss coordinated measures to curb the virus’s spread.
The European Commission has been closely monitoring the situation as mpox cases rise in several African countries. Kyriakides has requested a phone consultation with Sweden’s Health Minister to discuss information-sharing and coordinated action in light of the Swedish case.
Speaking to "K," Kyriakides warned that more cases of mpox are likely to emerge in Europe. "The important thing is that member states take the necessary measures," she said, emphasizing the need for vigilance given the frequent travel between Europe and Africa. She stressed that early detection and proper handling of suspected cases by healthcare professionals are critical in preventing further spread.
On the issue of vaccines, Kyriakides assured that the EU is working to secure vaccine doses for affected countries. She noted that all EU member states already have access to vaccines and that contracts for additional doses are in place, ready to be activated if the situation escalates.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention is expected to release a new assessment on the mpox situation later today, providing updated guidance to member states on how to manage the emerging threat.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has confirmed its first case of mpox in a patient who recently returned from a Gulf country, with health officials currently determining which strain of the virus is involved. The patient, who had initially received medical advice in Peshawar, has since left his home in Mardan, and his whereabouts are unknown. This development follows global concern over a new, more easily transmissible variant of mpox, which was first detected in Africa and recently confirmed in Sweden. The World Health Organization has advised against travel restrictions, but Pakistan is ramping up airport surveillance and contact tracing efforts.
With info from Reuters
