Belgium has recently recorded a surge in the number of monkeypox cases, in which authorities have mentioned that the number has risen to six. While, one of the probable case is waiting for the result of the PCR test.
On Sunday, there were four cases in the nation, all of which has attended the international fetish festival Darklands in Antwerp earlier this month.
Moreover, two more cases, as well as one probable case, have been found. The seven cases are a concern for the men who have sex with men, according to the health research agency Sciensano.
The agency mentioned that the epidemiological situation is being closely monitored, as the Risk Assessment Group (RAG) is working on recommendations for suspected cases and for contacts of confirmed cases.
Along with this, Sciensano will provide more details on its website for healthcare providers, while the information for the general public can be found on the website of the Agency for Care and Health.
From starting May 2022, the cases of the monkeypox virus have been reported across the world, with no link to a trip to one of the endemic nations in West and Central Africa.
The patients diagnosed with the virus are needed to spend 21 days in isolation.
In addition, the experts mentioned that the virus would likely not be the next pandemic, which is given the fact that the monkeypox differs from COVID-19 in several ways.
Besides having more noticeable symptoms and being transmitted slower, there are also existing vaccines, and those above the age of 45 are already vaccinated against it.
In addition, the healthcare context in Europe is different than in the nation where the virus originated, as well as it is known that the virus does not have long-term consequences for those who catch it.
Moreover, the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control (ECDC) alerted that there is a risk the monkeypox virus could become endemic on the European continent.
