The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) advises travelers to regions of Africa affected by monkeypox to consider getting vaccinated due to a new, potentially more severe strain. While the WHO declared a global emergency, the ECDC assesses widespread transmission risk as low. The new Clade 1b strain has been linked to hundreds of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting its potential for rapid spread and increased severity.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a warning about the increase in measles and pertussis cases across the European Union. Measles cases have risen significantly since 2023, with over 5,700 cases reported between March 2023 and February 2024, resulting in five deaths. Pertussis cases have also increased tenfold compared to the previous two years. These diseases, while vaccine-preventable, continue to circulate and pose a threat to the unvaccinated or vulnerable populations. To curb transmission, the ECDC emphasizes the importance of vaccination, highlighting its protective effects not only for individuals but also for those unable to receive vaccines due to age or compromised immune systems.
