Europe: As the cases of the monkeypox virus are on the rise, four cases have been confirmed in Brussels, with an additional probable case, according to the Sciensano public health institute on Wednesday.
In Belgium, there are fourteen confirmed cases, of which four cases are in Brussels, nine are in Flanders and one in Wallonia.
Data has not yet been collected concerning the three most recent reports, but the previous infections were discovered in men who have been in sexual contact with other men. The individuals in these cases were between 28 and 42-years-old.
The cases of monkeypox are suspected in non-endemic nations for the individuals experiencing an unexplained acute rash as well as one or more of the following symptoms since March 15, 2022.
- Headache
- Acute onset of fever (>38.5oC),
- Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
- Myalgia (muscle and body aches)
- Back pain
- Asthenia (profound weakness)
Moreover, on Tuesday, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director for Europe on Tuesday, World Health Organisation (WHO), “Monkeypox can infect anyone and is not intrinsically associated with any specific group of people.”
Kluge highlighted that it was not clear if the virus persists in bodily fluids for more extended periods of time but underlined that affected individuals have a “Mild and self-limiting but unpleasant and potentially disease” that could last for up to several weeks.
Along with this, the World Health Organisation that monkeypox is an airborne disease like COVID-19 as well as will not require population control measures.
The organisation is unsure whether the spread can be contained entirely and urged the requirement for clear communication, the isolation of identified cases and effective monitoring.
Furthermore, Europe is the epicentre for the monkey virus, with the UK, Spain and Portugal having 20-30 confirmed cases. On Tuesday, there were ten confirmed and two probable cases in Belgium.
