Risk to Europeans is low after new mpox strain found in Germany – ECDC

The risk to the general public is low after the first case of a contagious new strain of mpox was identified in Germany, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The German patient is only the second case of the new strain in Europe. The person was infected abroad before travelling to Germany, and their illness was detected last week.

The ECDC said it is “monitoring the situation closely” but that “the risk of sustained transmission of mpox in Europe remains low”.

The first case of the new variant, called clade 1b, was previously identified in Sweden in August. No other cases have been reported in Europe, though the ECDC said at the time it was likely there would be more imported cases because of travel between Europe and Africa.

Despite the low risk to the public, the ECDC said European countries should adopt “enhanced preparedness, continued vigilance and rapid implementation of control measures upon case detection” to prevent further spread.

Health authorities have been on high alert about clade 1b because it is at the centre of an outbreak that has been ravaging the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since last autumn and has since spread to other countries in the region.

As of mid-October, more than 42,000 mpox cases and nearly 1,000 deaths have been reported in 18 African countries. That includes all mpox cases, not just those from the clade 1b strain.

Mpox spreads through close physical contact and can cause a rash, lymph node swelling, and fever. A vaccine is available, though delays in immunisations have slowed the public health response in Africa.

“Travellers to areas affected by the mpox outbreak should consult their healthcare provider or travel health clinic regarding eligibility for vaccination against mpox,” the ECDC said.