WHO says mpox not new COVID as Rivers confirms two cases

World Health Organisation has stressed that mpox, regardless of whether it is the new or old strain, is not the new Coronavirus Disease (COVID), as authorities know how to control its spread.

This was as Rivers State Government confirmed, yesterday, that two cases of mpox had been discovered in the state. The Commissioner for Health, Dr AdaezeOreh, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt.

“We can and must tackle mpox together,” said WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge, in a United Nations (UN) media briefing.  “So, will we choose to put the systems in place to control and eliminate mpox globally or enter another cycle of panic and neglect? How we respond now and, in the years, to come will prove a critical test for Europe and the world.”

A case of the variant was confirmed last week in Sweden and linked to a growing outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent. WHO declared the recent outbreak of the disease a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant was identified.

Kluge said the focus on the new Clade 1 strain would also help in the fight against the less severe Clade 2 variety spreading globally since 2022, allowing Europe to improve its response through better health advice and surveillance.

About 100 new cases of Clade 2 are now being reported in Europe every month, added Kluge. Mpox transmits through close physical contact, including sexual contact, but unlike previous global pandemics such as COVID-19, there is no evidence it spreads easily through the air.

OREH, however, assured that the Ministry of Health had emplaced machineries to combat mpox, as the State Public Health Emergency Operations was on high alert to respond to any emergency.

She explained further: “Mpox is a viral disease that the patient can present various symptoms like fever, general weakness and back pain. For some people, who may contract it, their body immune system may clear it.

But some other people may end up with severe symptoms, especially those people who are immune-compromised.

“Medical teams have been deployed to respond to all emergencies at the healthcare level, general hospitals and the Specialist hospital. We now have an incident plan for mpox.”