The head of the European Union (EU) public health body said there will be more imported cases of the new Mpox strain in Europe in the coming weeks, though the risk of sustained transmission remains low.

The World Health Organization declared Mpox a global public health emergency on Wednesday, its highest form of alert, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries.

Mpox, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can be fatal. Two strains are now spreading in the DRC: the endemic form of the virus, clade I, and a new offshoot called clade Ib.

--Reuters--