Belgium: 2022 Monkeypox cases - 1 death reported

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Source: https://www-hbvl-be.translate.goog/c..._x_tr_pto=wapp


First case of monkeypox virus identified in Belgium
A first case of the new monkeypox virus has been identified in Belgium. Isabel Brosius, researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, reports this to the VRT. According to Joris Moonens of the Care & Health agency, the partner also has symptoms, so there may also be a second case.
Yesterday at 22:59

Monkeypox is doing the rounds in Europe for the first time. The infectious disease, which kills 1 to 4 percent of patients, comes from Africa. A first infection has now also been confirmed in our country.

“It concerns someone who has reported complaints to us in Antwerp. Samples were taken and sent to a reference lab in the Netherlands and late today we received final confirmation that it concerns the monkeypox virus. The person in question is not very sick," said researcher Isabel Brosius. The person must be quarantined....

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Source: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-...keypox-cases-2

Belgium detects first two monkeypox cases
Reuters
Publishing date:
May 20, 2022 • 1 hour ago • 1 minute read •

BRUSSELS — Belgian health experts were due to meet on Friday after the country detected its first two cases of monkeypox, authorities said.

The cases were diagnosed in different cities, though Flemish broadcaster VRTNWS said both patients had attended the same party in an undisclosed location. Reuters could not immediately confirm this...

...The first infected person, diagnosed in Antwerp but whose place of residence was not reported, was not seriously ill and they and their partner were both in isolation, a spokesperson for Belgium’s Agency for Care and Health said.

The second case was a man from the region of Flemish Brabant, a Leuven-based virologist, Marc Van Ranst, said on Twitter. That patient was also not seriously ill, according to Belgian media...

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Monkeypox in Belgium: Vandenbroucke announces a 3rd case and reports on the situation, "these people must be particularly vigilant"

Published on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 4:48 p.m. By Sudinfo

Based on the opinion of the RAG and the discussions in the RMG, Federal Minister of Public Health Frank Vandenbroucke summarized the current situation and opinions regarding monkeypox.

Here is the Minister's press release.

Three cases of monkeypox have been identified in Belgium, more precisely in Flanders. In recent weeks, cases have been identified in Europe: in the United Kingdom, Portugal and Spain, mainly in men who have sex with men (MSM).

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease, present in West and Central Africa, which does not spread easily among the population. Transmission occurs through very close physical contact with an infected person (through bodily fluids, among other things) or contact with clothes or linens used by a person with monkeypox. Monkeypox can be transmitted through direct contact during sexual intercourse. Nevertheless, the risk for the general population is low.

After an incubation period that can range from 5 to 21 days, people infected with monkeypox usually show mild symptoms initially. The first symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. A rash may appear, often on the face, then spread to the rest of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages until a crust appears. Most people heal within a few weeks. Exceptionally, these symptoms may be more serious. At this stage, the cases reported in Europe are mostly mild, and there are no reported deaths.

The evolution of cases in Belgium is being closely monitored.

“These people must be particularly vigilant”

If a person has a suspicious rash, it is currently advisable to contact the emergency department as soon as possible, who will eventually refer the patient to a hospital with greater expertise. Until monkeypox is ruled out or the infection is cured, close contact with other people should be avoided and sexual contact is recommended.

Men who have sex with other men, or people who have multiple sex partners, need to be especially careful.

Infected persons should be placed in contact isolation until the lesions have healed. (They will receive concrete instructions on this subject from the attending physician). High-risk contacts, such as cohabitants and sexual partners, are asked to monitor their condition for 21 days for symptoms – taking into account the incubation period – and should not be quarantined. Contact with pregnant women, children and immunocompromised people should be avoided during this time.

General practitioners and emergency services will also be informed of all developments.

For information, chickenpox is also widespread at present, especially in young children. This is a different disease, but the skin lesions are somewhat similar. In case of doubt or concern, it is best to contact your doctor.

https://www.sudinfo.be/id463351/arti...it-letat-de-la


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Monkey pox: the Risk Assessment Group sends an important message

2 hours ago - updated 1 hour ago
By Johanne Montay

At this stage, three cases of "monkeypox" or monkey pox have been confirmed in Belgium, more precisely in Flanders. After 7 other European countries, including Spain, Portugal and France, this virus transmitted by animals but transmissible between humans questions our country. The government decided to consult the RAG, the scientific experts of the Risk Assessment Group.

The context is particular, because this virus, endemic in West Africa, but unusual in Europe, seems to have spread here mainly during sexual contact between men and men, and multiple sexual contacts. Monkeypox is transmitted by direct contact during sexual intercourse, regardless of sexual orientation. Transmission also occurs through very close physical contact with an infected person (through bodily fluids, among others) or contact with clothing or linen used by an infected person. Nevertheless, the risk for the general population is low.

The RAG therefore decided that it was necessary to launch an awareness campaign aimed at men who have sex with other men, and people with several sexual partners.

High-risk contacts should self-monitor for any symptoms: fever, body aches, fatigue, rash. A delicate prevention message, because it is as essential as it must be non-stigmatising. On the eve of Pride, which promotes international contacts and male homosexual encounters, the authorities believe it is their duty to pass this recommendation.

Patients infected with the virus should self-isolate, i.e. not have contact until the lesions have healed . High-risk contacts, such as cohabitants and sexual partners, are advised to monitor their condition for 21 days for symptoms - taking into account the incubation period - and should not be quarantined. Contact with pregnant women, children and immunocompromised people should be avoided during this time.

People who have had several sexual contacts are particularly advised to be vigilant. If they have a suspicious rash, they should go to an emergency department, informed about the procedure.

WHO's reaction

For its part, the European office of the World Health Organization published a press release on Friday on the cases reported in the region it covers. It works and shares information with the 8 European countries concerned to follow the evolution of the situation. " Although the number of cases in Europe is still relatively low, which is worrying ," says the WHO, "it is that some of the cases appear to have been contracted unrelated to travel to countries where monkeypox is known to be endemic. In addition, many cases have been detected in clinics specializing in sexually transmitted infections. It is not known at this stage what the extent of wider community transmission is, but it is likely that more cases will be identified in the coming days ."

https://www.rtbf.be/article/variole-du-singe-le-risk-assessment-group-adresse-un-message-important-10996838

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Source: https://www.unilad.co.uk/news/monkey...tival-20220520

Monkeypox Outbreak Linked To Fetish Festival
by : Tom Wood on : 20 May 2022 15:52

A Belgian fetish festival has confirmed that three cases of monkeypox have been linked to the event by health authorities.

There have been numerous reports of cases of the virus across Europe in the past week, and now the Darklands festival which took place in Antwerp has warned patrons who attended four-days of festivities from May 5 to be watchful for symptoms.

As it stands, those cases are the only three that have been reported in Belgium.

The event organisers issued a statement in which they claimed that the virus could have been brought into the event by people attending from abroad, as well as offering advice on what to do if infection is suspected.

The statement reads: “The health department of the Belgian government has confirmed 3 cases of the Monkeypox virus linked to visitors at Darklands.

“There’s reason to assume that the virus has been brought in by visitors from abroad to the festival after recent cases in other countries. The Risk Assessment Group of the federal government has asked Darklands to inform it’s guest about these infections and share the following information:

“Monkeypox has an incubation period of 5 to 21 days. Be vigilant during the three weeks after your last close contact.

“If you notice unusual blisters or injuries, please go to the ER unit of a nearby hospital [and] mention you suspect Monkeypox.

“If the suspicion is confirmed, those persons will need to quarantine for 3 weeks without having sexual contacts.”

That statement was accompanied by a full statement from the Belgian authorities, which said that the risk to the general population is ‘generally low’ and that transmission occurs via ‘close contact with an infected person’...

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Monkey pox in Belgium: Emmanuel André announces a 4th case, "this patient is treated in the Walloon region"

Posted on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 9:35 p.m.
By Sudinfo

Monkeypox continues to spread in Europe and Belgium. After the two new cases announced on Friday, Emmanuel André announces that a 4th case was diagnosed this Saturday.

“At UZ Leuven, the laboratories work 7/7 to offer rapid diagnosis (PCR and sequencing) for patients with suspected monkeypox infection. Today, we were able to confirm a fourth case of infection in Belgium”, indicates Emmanuel André this Saturday evening. It is a man from the province of Liège, said Marc Van Ranst later.

“This patient is being cared for in the Walloon region and has a link with the event in Antwerp in which at least two other infected people had participated. A big thank you to Aviq and the University Hospital of Liège for the efficient collaboration. It is important that all people with suspicious lesions can quickly go to their doctor or an emergency service so that a diagnosis can be made quickly,” concludes the KULeuven microbiologist.
...
Earlier in the evening, Marc Van Ranst also sent a message to the Belgian population, and in particular to go directly through hospital emergencies rather than through a general practitioner to be sure of having an effective diagnosis in the event of suspicion of infection.
...
According to Marc Van Ranst, the 4th contamination observed in Belgium, like the three others, has a link with the international gay festival Darklands, which took place in Antwerp at the beginning of the month. “It is important that everyone who was present at the Darklands festival remains vigilant for any symptoms,” he warns. “In case of smallpox lesions, a sample can be taken in an emergency department, and close contact with other people should be avoided. »

The scale of the epidemic is becoming “increasingly clear”, estimated the virologist, still on Twitter. “This is unheard of before with monkeypox viruses. »

https://www.sudinfo.be/id463536/article/2022-05-21/variole-du-singe-en-belgique-emmanuel-andre-annonce-un-4e-cas-ce-patient-est

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Source: https://www.brusselstimes.com/health...med-in-belgium

Ninth monkeypox case confirmed in Belgium
Saturday, 28 May 2022
By Dylan Carter

A new case of monkeypox has been identified at CHU Saint Pierre in Brussels on 28 May, bringing the total number of cases in Belgium to 9, according to Belgian broadcaster RTBF. The European Union is currently the largest hotspot for monkeypox infection, with 118 active cases.

Cases of the rare virus were first detected in the United Kingdom in early May. Since then, there have been around more than 400 confirmed cases globally, however the infections are mostly minor and have not resulted in any casualties...

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Monkey pox (Monkeypox)

Since the beginning of May 2022, cases of monkeypox (Monkeypox) have been reported in several countries in Europe and outside, unrelated to a trip to an endemic country (in West or Central Africa). Infections are diagnosed primarily in men who have sex with men (MSM), but not exclusively.

On May 30, 10 confirmed cases and 2 probable cases were identified in Belgium. It's still all about MSM, with a link to a common event in early May or a trip (to Portugal or Spain). The probable origin of the infection is still under investigation for one case. The age of the cases ranges from 28 to 43 years.

On this page, information for healthcare professionals will be published. The recommendations are likely to evolve according to the evolution of scientific knowledge and the national and international situation, with an adaptation of the documents below if necessary .

...

https://epidemio.wiv-isp.be/ID/Pages/MonkeyPox.aspx

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Source: https://www.brusselstimes.com/health...es-in-brussels

Monkeypox: Four confirmed cases in Brussels
Thursday, 2 June 2022
By Liv Klingert

Four monkeypox cases have been confirmed in Brussels, with an additional probable case, reported Sciensano public health institute on Wednesday.

There are now fourteen confirmed cases in Belgium, of which four are in Brussels, nine are in Flanders and one in Wallonia. Data hasn’t yet been collected concerning the three most recent reports, but the previous infections were discovered in men who have sexual contact with other men. The people in these cases were between 28 and 42-years-old...

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Translation google

Monkey pox (Monkeypox)

Since the beginning of May 2022, cases of monkeypox (Monkeypox) have been reported in several countries in Europe and outside, unrelated to a trip to an endemic country (in West or Central Africa). Infections are diagnosed primarily in men who have sex with men (MSM), but not exclusively.

As of June 3 , 2022 , 17 confirmed cases have been identified in Belgium. These are 11 cases in Flanders, 5 cases in Brussels and one case in Wallonia. All of the people for whom the information is available (n=16) are MSM. The age of the cases ranges from 28 to 46 years. No one was hospitalized.

On this page, information for healthcare professionals will be published. The recommendations are likely to evolve according to the evolution of scientific knowledge and the national and international situation, with an adaptation of the documents below if necessary .
...

https://epidemio.wiv-isp.be/ID/Pages/MonkeyPox.aspx

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Translation google

Monkey pox (Monkeypox)

Since the beginning of May 2022, cases of monkeypox (Monkeypox) have been reported in several countries in Europe and outside, unrelated to a trip to an endemic country (in West or Central Africa). Infections are diagnosed primarily in men who have sex with men (MSM), but not exclusively.

As of June 8, 2022, 24 confirmed cases and one probable case have been identified in Belgium. These are 17 cases in Flanders, 7 cases in Brussels and one case in Wallonia. All of the people for whom the information is available (n=24) are MSM. The age of the cases ranges from 28 to 52 years.

On this page, information for healthcare professionals will be published. The recommendations are likely to evolve according to the evolution of scientific knowledge and the national and international situation, with an adaptation of the documents below if necessary .
...

https://epidemio.wiv-isp.be/ID/Pages/MonkeyPox.aspx

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Translation Google

Monkey pox (Monkeypox)

Since the beginning of May 2022, cases of monkeypox (Monkeypox) have been reported in several countries in Europe and outside, unrelated to a trip to an endemic country (in West or Central Africa). Infections are diagnosed primarily in men who have sex with men (MSM), but not exclusively.

As of June 15, 2022, 52 confirmed cases have been identified in Belgium. These are 24 cases in Flanders, 24 cases in Brussels and 4 cases in Wallonia. All cases are males between the ages of 20 and 57. One person was hospitalized for isolation reasons.

...

https://epidemio.wiv-isp.be/ID/Pages/MonkeyPox.aspx

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Three passengers on a train from Brussels to Ghent suspected of having monkeypox

The medical intervention plan was triggered on Wednesday at Ghent-Saint-Pierre station after three passengers got off a train, suspected of having monkeypox, reports HLN.

Writing 15-06-22, 17:40 Last update: 17:41 Source: HLN

The three passengers on the train connecting Brussels to Ghent were traveling without a valid ticket. They looked sick and claimed to have scabies. The controller was not really convinced by their story but nevertheless called a doctor at Gand-Saint-Pierre station.

After examining them, the doctor suspected them of having monkeypox. The three passengers were admitted to Ghent University Hospital.

The alert was later lifted.

The bar of 50 cases crossed in Belgium

In Belgium, 52 cases of monkey pox have been reported, the Public Health Institute, Sciensano, said on Wednesday. A total of 24 cases have been recorded in Flanders, 24 in Brussels and 4 cases in Wallonia. All those affected by the virus are men, aged 20 to 57. One was taken to hospital due to isolation rules.

https://www.7sur7.be/belgique/trois-....google.com%2F

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Pre-alarm of medical intervention plan announced in Ghent-Sint-Pieters after reporting passengers with monkey pox

In the station of Gent-Sint-Pieters, the (pre-alarm of the) medical intervention plan was announced on Wednesday afternoon after several passengers had got off a train who were said to be infected with monkey pox. The passengers were let off the train drop by drop and the pre-alarm was sounded again in the meantime.

Editorial 15 Jun. 2022 Last update: 18:13

“Three passengers on the train from Welkenraedt to Kortrijk would have been caught fare dodging and were taken off the train,” said NMBS spokesman Bart Crols. “When checked, it was determined that they may be infected with monkey pox. We have taken the train out of service as a precaution.”

The travelers would have claimed to have scabies to the controller. He didn't trust it and called the railway police. An ambulance picked up the sick passengers at the Gent-Sint-Pieters station. They were admitted to UZ Gent and placed in covid quarantine.

The train continued after the sick passengers were taken off the train, but was then ushered back into the station. The other passengers were let off the train one by one and identified. They were also advised to get tested if symptoms appear, although the chance that they are also infected seems small.

More later.

https://www.hln.be/gent/vooralarm-va...kken~a77e20f5/



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Fright at Ghent-Saint-Pierre station: passengers potentially infected with monkey pox board a train

It was an attendant who sounded the alarm.

Posted on 2022-06-15 at 6:13 p.m.

An alert was launched this Wednesday at Ghent-Saint-Pierre station, relay our colleagues from Nieuwsblad. A group of passengers, potentially showing symptoms of monkeypox, boarded a train.

The train guide, who arrived at the group in question for a ticket check, would have sounded the alarm.

A medical intervention plan, providing for rescue and ambulances, was then launched. The train, which had just left, was repatriated to the station. The information was confirmed by the federal police. Operations are in progress.

https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/societe/2022/06/15/frayeur-a-la-gare-de-gand-saint-pierre-des-passagers-potentiellement-infectes-par-la-variole-du-singe-embarquent-dans-un-train-BSYE7BY56NGVPA5BOXMJGNK43M/

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Monkey pox alert on a train in Ghent: the three young girls would not be infected with the virus

UPDATEThe three underage girls evacuated from the train at Ghent-Saint-Pierre station on Wednesday are not infected with the monkeypox virus, according to Joris Moonens, of the Flemish Care and Health Agency. They were allowed to leave the hospital, but remain under surveillance.

Writing 06-16-22, 15:16 Last update: 16:16 Source: HLN, Belga

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon on a train from Welkenraedt to Kortrijk. Three underage girls, without a ticket, were asked to leave the train. A doctor was called because the teenagers had skin lesions. He then established that they could be infected with monkeypox. The three girls were taken to UZ Gent for testing. They were placed in quarantine.

The pre-alert phase of the medical intervention plan has been activated. The car they were in was taken out of service and the passengers were all asked to identify themselves. They received a brief medical examination and counselling.

The three girls were allowed to leave the hospital on Thursday, UZ Gent confirmed to the Belga agency on Thursday. They remain under surveillance pending test results. According to Joris Moonens, of the Flemish Care and Health Agency, the chances are low that they have monkeypox. The three young people would suffer from another skin disease.

https://www.7sur7.be/sante/alerte-a-la-variole-du-singe-dans-un-train-a-gand-les-trois-jeunes-filles-ne-seraient-pas-infectees-par-le-virus~a1b75264/

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Source: https://mrenquirer.com/belgium-logs-...-of-monkeypox/

Belgium logs more than 50 cases of monkeypox
EuropeNews
June 18, 2022
Jason Miller

A total of 52 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been registered so far, the health institute Sciensano announced. With more than 1,500 cases in the continent, Europe is the epicentre of the outbreak, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) is concerned about the further spread of the virus.

Belgium currently has 24 cases in Brussels, another 24 in Flanders and 4 in Wallonia, with all affected persons being men between 20 and 57 years. One of them was reportedly hospitalized due to isolation measures...