WHO Regional Office for Europe publishes Considerations for the control and elimination of monkeypox in the WHO European Region
WHO/Europe has launched a series of new policy briefs on monkeypox for the WHO European Region. The first brief in the series, entitled Considerations for the control and elimination of monkeypox in the WHO European Region, was developed in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
This guidance highlights the need for public health authorities and clinics at national and sub-national levels to identify and actively work with relevant civil society organisations, community-based organisations and stakeholders to ensure that at-risk groups are properly informed and empowered to protect themselves. Research on transmission patterns, disease surveillance and vaccination are additional areas that Member States should consider in their response.
ECDC Director Andrea Ammon Said:
“Through a number of complementary steps taken simultaneously, this brief from the WHO Regional Office for Europe outlines the ways in which we can begin to control the monkeypox infection in the European Region. These steps include among others, the isolation of cases, the appropriate use of therapeutics and vaccines, as well as engaging with affected communities which can ensure public health information is communicated quickly and effectively. We stress that multiple steps and approaches must be implemented simultaneously to ensure maximum impact. It also proposes indicators to monitor country-level progress towards this goal.”
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) supports the need for multi-sector collaboration in order to reduce human-to-human transmission of monkeypox. ECDC has worked with the WHO Regional Office for Europe to develop several documents and resources that are available to Member States and civil society organisations for the current outbreak. ECDC is looking forward to the continued collaboration in the development of operational guidance to protect the health of European citizens.
