2022 monkeypox outbreak in Netherlands

2022 Monkeypox Outbreak in the Netherlands
Disease	Monkeypox
Source	Human-to-human transmission
Location	Netherlands
First outbreak	May 2022
Confirmed cases	122 (as of October 2022)
Deaths	0

The 2022 monkeypox outbreak in the Netherlands is part of a larger global outbreak of monkeypox that began in May 2022. The outbreak in the Netherlands was first identified in May 2022, with cases primarily reported among men who have sex with men (MSM). The outbreak has been characterized by human-to-human transmission, primarily through close contact.

Background

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus. It is similar to smallpox, but generally less severe. The disease is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, where it is transmitted from animals to humans. However, the 2022 outbreak has seen significant human-to-human transmission outside of Africa.

Epidemiology

The first case of monkeypox in the Netherlands was reported in May 2022. The outbreak quickly spread, with the majority of cases occurring in urban areas such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam. As of October 2022, there have been 122 confirmed cases in the country.

The outbreak in the Netherlands has primarily affected the MSM community, similar to patterns observed in other countries during the 2022 outbreak. Public health authorities have focused on contact tracing, isolation of cases, and vaccination of high-risk groups to control the spread of the virus.

Clinical Presentation

The clinical presentation of monkeypox in the Netherlands has been consistent with that observed in other regions. Symptoms typically begin with fever, headache, muscle aches, and lymphadenopathy, followed by the development of a characteristic rash. The rash progresses through several stages, including macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs.

Public Health Response

The Dutch government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), has implemented several measures to control the outbreak. These include:

• Surveillance and Contact Tracing: Enhanced surveillance and contact tracing efforts have been put in place to identify and isolate cases quickly.
• Vaccination: The Imvanex vaccine, which is effective against monkeypox, has been offered to high-risk groups, including MSM and healthcare workers.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Public health campaigns have been launched to raise awareness about monkeypox, its symptoms, and preventive measures.

Impact

The outbreak has had a significant impact on public health resources in the Netherlands. While there have been no reported deaths, the outbreak has highlighted the need for increased vigilance and preparedness for emerging infectious diseases.

Also see

• 2022 monkeypox outbreak
• Monkeypox
• Orthopoxvirus
• Public health in the Netherlands