Nearly a year after an outbreak of ambox (monkeypox) disease in the European region, the World Health Organization on Monday urged caution in Europe about the disease ahead of the festival season.

The WHO regional office in Europe said in a press release that a new campaign is being launched as Europe approaches the spring and summer seasons, when a number of (gay) pride festivals are scheduled to take place across towns and cities.

He said the aim of the campaign was to reinforce the message that "m-box is still with us and continued vigilance is still required".

The "Get Ready for It" campaign was launched despite a significant drop in the number of cases of smallpox amoxicillin in recent months, due to concerns from the World Health Organization in Europe about the possibility of more arrivals outside the region, either from endemic areas or newly affected countries.

The campaign urges the most vulnerable and sexually active groups who will attend events and festivals across Europe this spring and summer "to be aware of the symptoms of ambox disease, to undergo examinations, and to refrain from sexual activity if they develop symptoms."

According to WHO Europe, the campaign will coincide with the publication of a new Mbox disease strategy that will outline the steps that Member States in the region must take in preparation for the spring and summer seasons, as well as the measures needed in the medium to long term to stop the ongoing transmission of the disease from person to person.