2022–2023 mpox outbreak in Europe
Mpox (/ˈɛmpɒks/, EM-poks; formerly known as monkeypox)[1] is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and other animals.
Symptoms include a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
However, cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women, or people with suppressed immune systems.
[2] Diagnosis can be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing a lesion for the virus's DNA.
It is believed to be transmitted by close contact with sick people, with extra caution for those individuals with lesions on their skin or genitals, along with their bedding and clothing.
[8] In addition to more common symptoms, such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes or lesions, some patients have also experienced proctitis, an inflammation of the rectum lining.
CDC has also warned clinicians to not rule out mpox in patients with sexually transmitted infections since there have been reports of co-infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes.
[9] An index case was imported into the United Kingdom in late April 2022, by a man who had travelled to Nigeria, where the disease is endemic.
[20] No cases of mpox were detected in Greenland, a Danish constituent country in North America.
On 24 May, the Czech Republic registered its first case of mpox in a woman, likely picked up from a festival in Belgium, according to Reuters.
[23] The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) commenced publication of a weekly report on the epidemiology of human mpox in Ireland on 9 June.
It was in an adult male, who most likely picked up the disease abroad from one of the countries affected by the outbreak, according to the Malta Times.
It was in an adult male who most likely contracted the disease from his partner who travelled in several different European countries that have been affected by mpox at the time.
It was in two men who most likely contracted the disease from a trip to Spain and the United Kingdom but don't reckon any contact with infected persons.
[44] On 22 July, Monaco confirmed its first case of mpox, in a man who most likely had travelled to France where the disease was spreading.
The Princess Grace Hospital Centre later reported that the first case of the disease had been confirmed in the residential area of La Colle.
[citation needed] On 15 September, Ukraine's Ministry of Health reported the country's first case of mpox.
The Ministry noted that the patient, who did not travel abroad, was experiencing "mild symptoms" and undergoing hospital treatment.
[45] On 20 May, the WHO convened an emergency meeting of independent advisers to discuss the outbreak and assess the threat level.
[47] Its European chief, Hans Kluge, expressed concern that infections could accelerate in Europe as people gather for parties and festivals over the summer.
[49] Another meeting convened on 23 June determined that the outbreak does not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for the time being.
