Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the ongoing mpox outbreak should not be equated with the COVID-19 pandemic, asserting that the virus is well understood and controllable.

During a media briefing, WHO's European Director Hans Kluge emphasized that while further research is necessary on the Clade 1b strain—which recently led the WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)—the spread of mpox can be effectively contained.

"Mpox is not the new Covid," Kluge said, highlighting that the virus's transmission methods and control measures are already well established. He reassured that the risk to the general population remains low, and the organization is not considering lockdowns or recommending the widespread use of masks.

The WHO had previously declared a PHEIC in July 2022 over the Clade 2b strain of mpox, which primarily affected gay and bisexual men, but this status was lifted in May 2023 after the outbreak was controlled.

Kluge noted that the primary mode of transmission is close skin-to-skin contact, although it is possible that the virus could spread through droplets in certain settings, such as households or hospitals. Despite this, WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic clarified that mass vaccination is not recommended, and vaccines should only be used in outbreak settings for groups at higher risk.

The recent international health emergency declaration on August 14 was largely in response to a surge in Clade 1b cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its spread to nearby countries.