HELSINKI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) updated its risk assessment on mpox outbreak on Friday, recommending heightened preparedness within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).
Europe faces a high likelihood of more imported mpox cases from the clade I virus. Although the risk of sustained transmission within EU/EEA remains very low, it is important to prepare swift diagnosis and effective control measures, the Sweden-based ECDC stated.
The ECDC advises EU/EEA member states to issue travel advisories for individuals traveling to or returning from regions affected by the outbreak.
This new risk assessment came after the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security and the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern earlier this week.
