Health institute Sciensano released the latest figures on monkeypox cases in Belgium, with 311 total confirmed cases and one probable case.
Sciensano collects this data from regional governments or administrations in Belgium. These include 179 cases in Flanders (57%), 98 cases in the Brussels capital region (31%) and 35 cases in Wallonia (11%).
The last case to report symptoms, of which information is available, was on 12 July.
All cases occurred among men between the ages of 20 and 65. Nearly all patients (97%) had a skin rash, and more general symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes and malaise.
20 of the 284 patients for whom information was available were hospitalised for monkeypox, with 15 being for treatment.
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The most common mode of transmission of the virus was through sexual contact (94%), in Belgium or abroad. Sciensano warns this information is preliminary as the context is sensitive for patients.
Monkeypox, which is caused by the monkeypox virus, is a disease that mainly occurred in central and western Africa, with sporadic cases around the world due to travel in that region. Since May 2022, the disease has spread through Europe.
The main symptoms of monkeypox, which can take five to 15 days to appear after infection, include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, swollen glands, chills and exhaustion. The rash usually shows one to five days after the first symptoms begin, and can take on the appearance of blisters and scabs.
While monkeypox is usually mild and will go away on its own within a few weeks, the virus is highly transmissible and health officials advise those infected to isolate themselves. Consult a health official immediately if you believe you have been infected.
