The number of monkeypox virus cases has tripled in Europe in the past two weeks. The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on European countries to act quickly.
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The virus has now been diagnosed in 31 European countries and regions. Six countries and regions have been added in the last two weeks, according to the WHO.
In total, there are more than 4000 European cases of the monkeypox virus, which usually only occurs in Africa. The vast majority of infections have been identified in the United Kingdom. For the Netherlands, the WHO counter stands at 257, but the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reported this week that the virus has now been diagnosed in 288 people.
Also read: First child in the Netherlands with monkey pox
“Today I am reinforcing my call on governments and society to do more in the coming weeks and months to prevent monkeypox from settling in a growing geographic area,” said WHO director for Europe, Hans Kluge. According to him, urgent and concerted measures are needed to turn the tide.
Especially men who have sex with men become infected with monkey pox. The virus spreads through skin-to-skin contact. RIVM warned that the upcoming pride events in Amsterdam and other cities could lead to “more intensive spread” of the monkeypox virus within the Netherlands.
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