EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides urged member states on Wednesday to step up efforts regarding the surveillance, identification and reporting of monkeypox cases, as well as efforts concerning the isolation, contact tracing and vaccination, infection prevention and clear risk communication campaigns in all Member States and the EEA.
CNA learns that Kyriakides sent a letter to EU Health Ministers, in light of the WHO’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding monkeypox on 24 July, and called for a reinforced, concerted and coordinated EU action to address a developing global situation, where the European Union is the epicentre of detected cases.
According to the same information, the Commissioner underlined that solid and timely surveillance and data reporting at EU level are critical to feed into monkeypox control strategies, with the effective contact tracing and isolation of cases and the reporting of complete national case data to TESSy (the European Surveillance System) in a timely fashion. She also noted that close contacts must be identified as soon as possible, be informed of their exposure, their risk of developing infection and the symptoms of monkeypox, as well as of the need to isolate according to guidelines provided by the ECDC.
As regards medical countermeasures, the same sources noted that the purchase of more than 160,000 doses of Jynneos vaccines has been secured, funded by the EU budget and donated to member states and EEA countries associated to the EU4Health Programme. Vaccines are already being delivered to several countries, while two joint procurement procedures are in preparation for the purchase of further monkeypox vaccines doses from Bavarian Nordic and the antiviral Tecovirimat.
Public risk communication is also emphasized by the Commissioner and ministers are encouraged to intensify public risk communication with stakeholders and risk groups, in particular to raise awareness without causing panic or stigmatisation.
In addition, it is noted that healthcare professionals as well as community-based organisations need to be adequately informed so that they can continue to proactively raise awareness on the potential spread of monkeypox in the community and its prevention.
Source: Cyprus News Agency