Risk communication and community engagement approaches during the monkeypox outbreak in Europe, 2022

Recent health emergencies in the European Region, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the multi-country monkeypox outbreak, have reaffirmed the role of Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) as a core public health intervention contributing to emergency response. RCCE is instrumental in achieving results across all the main areas of response, from laboratory testing, contact tracing and isolation, to treatment and preventive/protective measures, including vaccination. For all of these measures, successful implementation is dependent on support from affected individuals and communities.

This document is intended for health authorities designing RCCE interventions in the context of the current monkeypox outbreak in Europe. It supplements the ‘Interim advice on Risk Communication and Community Engagement during the monkeypox outbreak in Europe, 2022’ jointly published by ECDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. It provides examples and approaches for RCCE, while building on experience from past outbreaks. These examples can be used to inspire countries in the European Region to develop community engagement approaches and risk communication strategies adapted to the national, regional and/or local context and specific target audiences in their response to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak.