The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated this Tuesday that the outbreak of Covid-19 cases in China will not have a significant impact in Europe because the variants that circulate there already exist on the European continent.
“The current surge in China is not expected to have a significant impact on the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 in the European region,” WHO regional director Hans Kluge told an online news conference.
Kluge also urged European countries to take “proportionate and non-discriminatory” measures towards travelers from China.
Several countries, including Portugal, the United States, Japan, France and Germany, began requiring negative tests for travelers from China and others advised against unnecessary travel to China.
Last week, the European Union encouraged its member states to impose pre-flight checks in China, complementing the negative test with “random tests” upon arrival on European soil.
“It is unreasonable for countries to take precautionary measures to protect their populations while we await more detailed information” from China, as “these measures must be scientifically justified,” Kluge said.
According to the WHO, the 53 countries in the region that extends to Central Asia, thanks mainly to the high vaccination rate, are well protected to deal with covid.
“At the beginning of 2023, the region (…) really has a very good position. We have strong population protection, thanks in part to the waves of natural contagion that have occurred, but above all thanks to excellent general adherence to vaccination,” said Catherine Smallwood, director of emergencies for WHO in Europe.
However, according to the organization, it is important to maintain a high level of vigilance.
“After three long years of the pandemic, when many countries are struggling with overburdened health systems, shortages of essential medicines and an exhausted health workforce, we cannot afford to put more pressure on our health systems,” Kluge insisted. .
“This threat could come from a worrying new variant, anywhere and anytime, including here in Europe and Central Asia. Based on lessons learned, we need to be able to anticipate, detect and react in time,” he added.
Source: TSF
