Monkeypox

24.5.2022

Question for written answer  E-001933/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Alessandro Panza (ID), Susanna Ceccardi (ID), Elena Lizzi (ID), Rosanna Conte (ID), Alessandra Basso (ID), Mara Bizzotto (ID), Annalisa Tardino (ID), Matteo Adinolfi (ID), Isabella Tovaglieri (ID), Paolo Borchia (ID), Simona Baldassarre (ID), Ivan Vilibor Sinčić (NI), Gianantonio Da Re (ID)

According to health authorities and the press, cases of monkeypox in humans are rising across Europe.

So far, nine cases have been confirmed in the United Kingdom, five in Portugal and one in Italy, although the actual number of current cases is presumably higher.

Monkeypox is an emerging zoonosis caused by a virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus and is structurally related to the viral agent that causes smallpox.

It is transmitted via respiratory droplets or, in most identified cases, through sexual contact.

In order to avoid a repeat of the chaotic and largely ineffective initial response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, what measures and strategies is the Commission putting in place, together with the Member States, to assess the risks and weigh up possible action plans, containment strategies and treatment options to address this latest threat?