Case monkeypox increasingly widespread in Europe. Belgium has reported the country’s first two cases of monkeypox.

The cases were diagnosed by virologists in different cities. Flemish broadcaster VRTNWS said the two patients attended the same party at an undisclosed location, but this could not be confirmed.

The first infected person was diagnosed in Antwerp but his place of residence was not reported. He said he was not seriously ill. He and his partner are both currently in isolation, a Belgian health and care administration spokesperson said.

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

Spread to other European countries

The spread of monkeypox has also reached Canada. Canada reported its first two confirmed cases of monkeypox late Thursday, adding to the number of cases in Europe and North America.

“Tonight, the province of Quebec was informed that two samples received by the NML (National Microbiology Laboratory) tested positive for monkeypox. These are the first two confirmed cases in Canada,” the agency said. of Public Health Canada in a press release.

Besides Belgium, France has also confirmed the first case of monkeypox. The French Ministry of Health confirmed a case of monkeypox on Thursday (19/5).

Italy also reported its first case of monkeypox infection on Thursday. The patient is believed to be in isolation at Spallanzani Hospital in Rome. This first patient had just arrived from the Canary Islands.

The hospital added that there were two other suspected cases which had not been confirmed.

On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said Wednesday it had confirmed a case of monkeypox virus infection in a man who had recently traveled to Canada.

Portuguese authorities said they had identified five cases of infection and Spanish health services said they were testing 23 potential cases after Britain alerted Europe to the virus.

Monkeypox, which occurs mainly in West and Central Africa, is a rare viral infection similar to human smallpox, although milder. It was first recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 1970s. The number of cases in West Africa has increased over the past decade.

Symptoms include fever, headache, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads all over the body. The Massachusetts agency said the virus does not spread easily between people, but transmission can occur through contact with bodily fluids, monkeypox sores, items such as bedding or clothing that have been contaminated with fluids or wounds, or with respiratory droplets after prolonged face-to-face contact.

Spanish health authorities and most infected people recover within weeks

(chs/chs)