A tenth case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Belgium with two other probable infections identified, reported the Sciensano public health institute on Tuesday.
The ninth case of monkeypox was already detected on Saturday, and according to Sciensano's latest data, one additional infection has since been confirmed. In Belgium, all infections so far were found in men between 28 and 43 years old.
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Several of the cases have been linked to the Darklands fetish festival that was held in Antwerp at the beginning of May. Others were found in people who had recently travelled abroad (Spain or Portugal); in one case, the source of infection has yet to be identified.
Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that it sees "no cause for alarm", as the disease doesn't pose a threat to the general public, according to the director of the epidemic risk department at WHO, Sylvie Briand.
"It is not like Covid-19," she said. While countries should act quickly to contain the spread of monkeypox and share data about their vaccine stockpiles, the WHO stressed that there is currently no need for mass vaccination.
