Since the beginning of the epidemic of monkeypox (MPX) and through August 18, 2022, 16,162 confirmed cases have been reported in 29 EU/EEA (European Union/European Economic Area) countries: Spain (5,792), Germany (3,242), France ( 2,749), Netherlands (1,090), Portugal (770), Italy (689), Belgium (624), Austria (218), Denmark (158), Sweden (141), Ireland (113), Poland (107 ), Norway (74), Hungary (62), Greece (50), Luxembourg (45), Slovenia (43), Czech Republic (39), Romania (34), Malta (31), Croatia (22), Finland (22 ), Iceland (12), Estonia (9), Slovakia (9), Lithuania (5), Bulgaria (4), Cyprus (4) and Latvia (4). Two deaths were reported by Spain in July 2022.
Since the start of the monkeypox outbreak and up to August 18, 2022, the following Western Balkan countries have reported confirmed cases of monkeypox: Serbia (31), Bosnia and Herzegovina (3) and Montenegro (1). Additionally, five cases have been reported in Turkey.
In the current epidemic in non-endemic countries, cases of MPX are still identified primarily among groups of men who have sex with men (MSM) between the ages of 18 and 50. According to the latest ECDC risk assessment, the likelihood of MPX spreading further in networks of people with multiple sexual partners in the EU/EEA is considered high and the likelihood of MPX spreading in the population in general is considered very low.
Although a few serious cases have recently been reported (including cases of encephalitis), the impact of the disease remains low in most cases. The overall risk is therefore assessed as moderate for people with multiple sexual partners (including certain groups of MSM) and low for the general population.
Early diagnosis, isolation, effective contact tracing and targeted vaccination strategies are essential to effectively control this outbreak.
Source : European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
