The number of people in the Netherlands who have been diagnosed with the monkey pox virus has risen to 656. Since the last update, last Thursday, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has registered 107 positive tests. 153 infections have been confirmed since last Monday, which corresponds to the growth rate in the weeks before.
The number of women who tested positive has increased from one to three. Earlier, a “child of primary school age” appeared to have been infected. Most people who have tested positive are men who have sex with men.
Those who contract monkey pox can suffer from fever, headache, muscle aches and general malaise. After a few days, a rash with blisters appears on the skin. Usually people don’t get very sick from an infection. One patient in the Netherlands has been in hospital to be treated for skin complaints associated with the infection. He has recovered and is back home. Monkeypox is not a venereal disease, but mainly spreads through skin-to-skin contact. Anyone can contract the virus.
Because the virus is relatively common among men who have sex with men, RIVM takes into account that the upcoming pride events, including Pride Amsterdam, could become a hotbed.
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