Belgian
The smallpox usually results in flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. It appeared earlier this month in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Canada and the US, mostly among gay men. It is still premature to speak of “sexually transmitted virus” among groups of people, research is being done on this, according to Dr. Soentjens.
The infection has most often been reported in Africa, but it has now spread to Europe, and in particular Belgium, where three cases have been confirmed. “Simple” smallpox was eradicated in the 1970s following a global vaccination campaign. “People who have been vaccinated are also protected once morest that of the monkey, which is less virulent than the others”says the IMT specialist.
The Bavarian Nordic company has a specific vaccine. “It might be used in nursing staff or in people who have had a contact at risk”, says Dr. Soentjens. IMT has also received authorization to analyze PCR tests, for which samples are taken from the skin. This will allow the Institute to quickly detect and isolate positive cases. Until now, samples had to be sent to the Netherlands for analysis.
