Belgium confirms first case of more dangerous monkeypox strain
The first case of the new, more contagious variant of monkeypox has been diagnosed in Belgium, with the ECDC and Sciensano reporting the development. This disease poses a potential threat to the health and safety of thousands of people globally, and the WHO is closely monitoring its progress.
Belgium has confirmed its first case of the more contagious monkeypox variant, as reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Belgian health institute Sciensano.
Belgium is now the fourth country in Europe and the eighth globally outside Africa where this variant has been identified.
The new strain, known as clade I, is associated with higher mortality rates. A patient from Wallonia contracted the virus during sexual contact with an infected individual in an African country.
Upon returning to Belgium, the patient was diagnosed via a PCR test and placed into isolation. Authorities determined he had no close contacts upon his return, minimizing the risk of the virus spreading further in Belgium.
Monkeypox becoming more dangerous, WHO warns
Clade I of monkeypox was recently discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since its emergence, cases have been reported in Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and several Asian countries.
Monkeypox is a viral disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, as well as through intimate contacts. It was initially identified in laboratory monkeys in Denmark in 1958, although in Africa, rodents are the primary carriers.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and a rash. There are two strains of the virus: the milder clade II, which is present in over 100 countries, and the more severe clade I. In August, the WHO declared monkeypox a global health threat.
Just as before the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the WHO is keeping a close eye on the situation and continuously tracking the progression of the monkeypox virus. If the situation becomes comparable to the challenges faced in the fall and winter of 2019, safety procedures will be enacted. Unfortunately, years ago, they offered limited help, and COVID-19 rapidly spread worldwide.
