OUR World Health Organization called signs of slowing its spread “encouraging”. monkeypox in Europecalling for intensified efforts to eradicate the disease in the region.

“Some encouraging preliminary data, such as what we observed in France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, UK and other countries suggest that the epidemic may be slowing down,” the WHO director for Europe said. Hans Kluge during a press conference.

“We are moving in the right direction,” he said. However, “in order to move towards elimination (of the disease) in our region, we must immediately intensify our efforts.”

From the general 53 countries of the regionwhich includes Russia and his countries central Asiamore than 22,000 cases of monkeypox in 43a figure that accounts for more than a third of global cases.

Last week, the WHO announced a 21% drop in new cases of monkeypox globally after four straight weeks of growth.

To prevent the virus from circulating in Europe, WHO recommends maintaining surveillance measures, targeted vaccinations, contact tracing and informing the gay community where the virus appears to be most circulating.

Kluge specifically referred to the example of Portugal, where “in the absence of a vaccination campaign, we have been able to reduce the increase in cases through behavioral change and public awareness.”