Imminent outbreak?

Mpox crisis: Austria is on alert

Patients with Mpox

(Bild: EPA/Moise Kasereka)

The new Mpox variant clade I is on the rise. However, there is no reason for mass vaccinations in Europe.

The new Mpox clade I is putting the world on alert. In the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular, the virus is raging with alarming severity. More than 14,000 suspected cases and more than 500 deaths have been reported this year. "Children in particular don't stand a chance," explains a local doctor. "Their immune systems are not strong enough to fight against the aggressive virus, and in regions with poor medical care they are particularly defenceless." The mortality rate among children in particular is around ten percent.

Rendi-Wagner: "Not under control"
The situation is "anything but under control", explains Pamela Rendi-Wagner, Director of the European Center for Disease Control ECDC. "Europe and the USA must step up their support to increase testing capacities on the ground and launch vaccination campaigns quickly. However, based on the current data, there is no risk of an outbreak in Europe like the one in Africa."

Mpox clade I

• The new Mpox variant "clade I" causes skin rashes all over the body, not just on typical areas such as the face and genitals.
• Mpox was initially called monkeypox, but the WHO decided on a new name. To prevent discrimination, the name should never include animals or countries.
• It was a coincidence that Mpox was first detected in monkeys; it originates from rodents.

In Austria, Mpox cases must be reported. Since the outbreak began more than two years ago, 348 cases have been recorded. However, there are currently no known infections with the new clade I strain. If necessary, 34,000 vaccine doses are still stored in Austria in order to react quickly in an emergency.