Mpox: updates from the WHO European Region
June 12, 2025
Mpox remains a persistent threat in the WHO European Region, with over 200 cases reported monthly—mostly Clade II infections among men who have sex with men. Although the initial Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) was lifted in 2023, the resurgence of Clade Ib in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread in 2024 prompted the WHO to declare a second PHEIC. On 12 June, WHO/Europe will convene Member States to assess surveillance, control, and elimination strategies. This webinar is a timely call to enhance regional preparedness and ensure sustained momentum against a still-active global health threat.
Mpox continues to pose a public health challenge across the WHO European Region, with more than 200 new cases reported each month. The vast majority are Clade II infections concentrated among men who have sex with men. Despite the lifting of the first Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in May 2023, a resurgence driven by Clade Ib in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its regional spread led to the declaration of a second PHEIC in August 2024—still in effect today.
This ongoing transmission underscores the need for vigilance. On 12 June, WHO/Europe will host a webinar gathering Member States to examine the latest global and regional mpox trends, share challenges, and discuss opportunities for elimination. The meeting will feature findings from a WHO/Europe and ECDC joint survey conducted in late 2024, evaluating national preparedness in line with WHO’s Strategic Framework for Mpox Prevention and Control (2024–2027).
The webinar builds on the momentum of WHO/Europe’s 2023 guidance, which laid out a five-year roadmap for mpox control and elimination. That plan emphasizes sustained surveillance, targeted vaccination, and the interruption of person-to-person transmission. While Europe has avoided large Clade I outbreaks, sporadic imported cases highlight the need for readiness against both endemic and emerging variants.
As WHO/Europe advances efforts to coordinate regional strategies, governments must remain committed to implementing comprehensive action plans and maintaining access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment for at-risk populations. This is especially critical as the virus’s epidemiology evolves and global health dynamics remain fragile.
The upcoming webinar is a reminder: elimination is within reach—but only through coordinated, evidence-driven action across countries. The second PHEIC cannot become a prolonged emergency. Europe must lead by example in demonstrating that sustained investment and collaboration can end mpox transmission.