The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkeypox (mpox) outbreak, which affects Africa, Europe and Latin America: Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and El Salvador, announce protective measures as a public health emergency of international concern (ESPII)

The decision was taken unanimously by a WHO Emergency Committee amid concerns that a more deadly and transmissible strain of the virus (formerly known as monkeypox) has reached previously unaffected African regions.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak a continental public health emergency, after having recorded 15,000 cases and 461 deaths from the virus in 2024 alone, which represents a 160% increase in diagnoses and 19% in deaths compared to the same period last year.

Monkeypox in Europe

Sweden confirmed its first case of clade I of the virus, according to the country’s public health agency, which said it is the first time the strain has been found outside Africa.

“The confirmation of mpox clade I in Sweden is a clear reflection of the interconnectedness of our world. “There are likely to be more imported clade I cases in the European region in the coming days and weeks,” a WHO statement said.

The European body recommends that public health authorities plan and prepare for the rapid detection of any clade I cases that may reach the continent.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control expects the impact of this strain of the virus to be low on the continent, but if appropriate surveillance and control measures are applied, using the experience accumulated when another mpox strain, clade II, spread around the world in 2022.

During that emergency, the virus spread mainly among men who had sex with men, and behavioural change, as well as vaccines, helped control it in Europe.

Monkeypox in Latin America

Argentina

10 new cases of monkeypox were found in Argentina, which represents an increase of more than 30% in the number of infections accumulated during 2024. Of the 42 cases in total, 38 of them are from the center of the country, that is, 90%. An important fact to keep in mind is that in Argentina there were no deaths from monkeypox.

On the other hand, all cases presented skin rashes, more than 60% had fever and to a lesser extent they had lymphadenopathy, myalgia, headache, proctitis and asthenia.

Colombia

In 2024, the Ministry confirmed that 109 cases have occurred, of which 4 are still active and no deaths have occurred, according to figures from the National Institute of Health.

The Ministry of Health adds that, so far in 2024, the territorial entities that reported the most cases were Bogotá (44), Cali (22), Barranquilla (13), Medellín (11) and Atlántico (5), where 53 cases correspond to people in the age group of 30 to 39 years and 36 by the sector between 20 to 29 years.

“Colombia remains committed to the surveillance and control of Mpox, working hand in hand with international recommendations to protect the health of all our citizens. We will maintain our prevention and response actions to prevent the spread of the virus,” said the Minister of Health, Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo.

It is essential for public health authorities to maintain rigorous monitoring and promote vaccination and awareness campaigns to limit the spread of the virus. Epidemiological surveillance and preventive measures are essential to control future outbreaks and maintain public health in Colombia and the rest of the world.

Venezuela

Epidemiological surveillance plan against monkeypox in the midst of political crises, which consists, among other things, in monitoring people coming from countries where outbreaks of the disease have been confirmed.

«To enter the country, they must report their health status and personal data in the epidemiological surveillance form for medical follow-up with the aim of early detection of any suspected case.»

Salvador

The health authorities of El Salvador have not identified cases of mpox during 2024, but doctors urged the population to inform themselves about the disease and prevent it, following the alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Written by: Oscar El Blue

Viruela Símica (mpox)