A significant part of the Dutch monkeypox infections takes place in Amsterdam. What does that mean, can you get tested or vaccinated somewhere, and can big events like the Pride go ahead? Here’s what you need to know.
How does an infection with the monkeypox virus progress?
The first indications of an infection include fever, headache, chills and tiredness. A few days later, a rash with blisters follows, usually first on the face and then to the rest of the body. The blisters eventually become crusts, such as on a wound.
The moment the blisters appear, you are contagious to others. The GGD asks you to quarantine from that moment on. When the complaints are over and all the scabs have fallen off the skin, you can leave quarantine.
The disease is mild in the majority of patients. After two to four weeks, most are fully recovered.
Are there many infections in Amsterdam?
RIVM is reluctant to share information about the place of residence of infected persons, but it is certain that a large part of the infections takes place in the capital. On Friday 24 June, alderman Shula Rijxman wrote to the city council that 141 infections had been identified in Amsterdam up to that point. In the whole of the Netherlands, the counter stood at 211 counted infections. Amsterdam thus accounted for two thirds of all Dutch infections that were known at that time.
Monkeypox has currently been diagnosed in 352 people, the RIVM reports. About 200 of these are infections in Amsterdam. The proportion of infections that occur here is shrinking – an indication that the virus is also gaining a foothold outside the city. Today, Thursday 7 July, a new update will be given on the number of infections counted.
Can I get it too?
Anyone can become infected with the monkeypox virus. But although the number of infections is increasing, it is happening at a much slower pace than, for example, during the corona pandemic. “This is clearly not about exponential growth, which was the case with corona,” Alderman Rijxman wrote to the city council at the end of June. The RIVM also says that the spread is not comparable to corona.
Infection usually occurs through intensive physical contact, including sex. However, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease. At the moment, the virus mainly spreads among men who have varying sexual contacts with other men.
Is there a vaccine?
Yes. The vaccine is called Imvanex and, like some corona vaccines, consists of two doses. After the first dose, the second dose follows after 28 days. And just like with corona, you are not immediately optimally protected: that will take another 14 days.
Is there currently vaccination in Amsterdam?
Yes, but not everyone can get the vaccine yet. This is how it works: if an infection has been established, the GGD carries out a so-called source and contact investigation. This involves looking at who the infected person has been in contact with. In addition to sexual contacts, these are, for example, roommates or care workers who have been close to the person. These people are told that they are at risk of being infected with monkey pox. They are also offered the vaccine.
If this happens 4 days after contact has been made, this can prevent the development of symptoms. If this occurs 5 to 14 days after such contact, it can help limit the severity of the disease.
Preventive pricking, such as during the corona pandemic, is not currently happening. More information about the vaccine can be found on the site of the RIVM.
If that virus spreads in Amsterdam, is it smart to let major events take place?
After a few quiet summers, many Amsterdammers are eager to go crazy again at all the beautiful things that are organized in the city. One such festival is the Amsterdam Pride, which is held in the city from July 30 to August 7. Former RIVM boss Roel Coutinho mentioned in a broadcast van Nieuwsuur called the event an ‘extra risk’. The Pride is an event with a distinct lhbtiq++ character and attracts many gay men from home and abroad.
Coutinho’s comment is divided. Critics think that he is making a caricature of the Pride, which has a broad program that includes art, sports and debate. The famous boat parade and the parties are not mainly about sex. The Pride parties therefore do not necessarily pose a greater risk than other parties or music festivals, they say.
It is also painful that in the past gays have had to deal with stigmas surrounding diseases. “The analogy with HIV/AIDS and monkey pox is obvious,” DENK party leader Sheher Khan said in a statement. brief at the Amsterdam college.
RIVM thinks that large parties can lead to a more intensive spread of the monkey pox virus, reports news hour† In a brief At the Ministry of Health, a team of experts calls it ‘wise’ to vaccinate preventively for monkey pox. The team calls for the best known risk group – men with varying sexual contacts with other men – to be vaccinated.
But the GGD Amsterdam calls the cancellation of the Pride boat parade ‘not useful’. “Spread mainly occurs through intimate and sexual contact. There does not appear to be spread through saliva droplets or through the air.” The GGD also emphasizes that after the Pride in previous years, there was no increase in the number of STDs, which are transmitted through sex, just like monkey pox. “In addition, many people from the community are together during the Pride, which creates the opportunity to properly inform this target group.”
Can I get tested for the monkeypox virus?
“If you have symptoms, you can get tested,” says a spokesperson for the GGD Amsterdam. “We ask people to call their GP first. He or she then decides whether it is wise to have you tested at the GGD.” At the moment there are about five to ten tests a day, says the GGD. This number has been stable for a while.
Do you have no symptoms, but want to get tested to be sure? That is not possible at the moment.
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