Monkey pox: a first case detected in Belgium
© CDC
A first case of contamination with the monkeypox virus has been detected in Belgium, said Isabel Brosius, doctor at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Thursday evening at the VRT.
“This is a person who reported to us in Antwerp. Samples were taken and sent to a reference laboratory in the Netherlands. We had confirmation at the end of the day that it was the monkeypox virus. The person in question is not very ill“, explained Isabel Brosius.
The patient was asked to self-quarantine. His partner is also showing symptoms, but the infection has not yet been revealed. “Based on current data, the likelihood of the virus spreading through the population appears low“, declared the IMT, which ensures to follow the course of events closely. The authorities will meet Friday around noon to discuss a Belgian approach against the spread of the virus, indicated the Flemish Health Agency.
The symptoms of smallpox of the monkey are similar to those of the flu accompanied by a rash on the face and other parts of the body. Several infections have been detected in recent days in the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Canada and the United States.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) intends to publish its first risk assessment report “early next week”, said the European Union agency responsible for diseases and epidemics. The agency, which says “follow the situation closely“, recommended”isolate and test suspected cases and report them promptly“.