FRANKFURT, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A German infection expert

on Friday called for existing mpox vaccine supplies to be

shipped to Africa, where they would have the greatest potential

to tackle the disease, even after a case of a new, worrying form

of the virus was diagnosed in Europe.

"The vaccines that are available globally are urgently

needed in Africa, urgently needed in regions where the virus is

currently spreading ... so that the people at risk there can

build immunity," Leif Erik Sander, a professor and head of

infectious disease at Charite, Germany's largest university

hospital, told Reuters.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on

Friday raised its risk level for mpox, a day after global health

officials confirmed the first infection with a new strain of the

virus outside Africa, in Sweden.

Sander said that further global spread was "bound to happen"

because of the connected world we live in, but in developed

regions like Europe, the risk of harm was relatively low for

now.

"With the experience from the past outbreak in 2022, many

communities have a high level of awareness. They know the

disease, ... we also had vaccination campaigns in Germany and

other countries so there might be some pre-existing immunity,"

the professor said.

He said it was paramount to test people with symptoms

everywhere and do everything to curb an outbreak in Germany and

Europe, but available vaccine doses should be put to best use in

Africa, where many regions have poorly developed healthcare

systems.

The head of global vaccine group Gavi told Reuters on

Thursday it has up to $500 million to spend on getting shots to

countries affected by the escalating outbreak in Africa.