As of August 23, 2022, in 43 countries and territories in the European region, 21,098 cases of monkeypox have been reported to health authorities, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This is an increase of 1,669 cases since last week [1].
The majority of cases were between 31 and 40 years old (8231/20.644 – 40%) and were men (17684/17896 – 98.8%). Among the cases with known HIV status, 37% (3070/8257) had HIV. The majority of cases had a rash (12415/13072 – 95%) and systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, sore throat or headache (8476/13072 – 65%). 576 cases (5.9%) were hospitalized, including 194 who required clinical care. Four cases were admitted to the intensive care unit, two of whom died of monkeypox. To date, 64 cases of health care workers have been reported, including three cases of occupational exposure. In all three cases, health care workers were wearing the recommended personal protective equipment, but were exposed to body fluids during sample collection.
As of August 24, 2022, 50 cases of monkeypox have been detected in Luxembourg, which is an increase of 5 cases since last week. All cases detected so far are males with an average age of 37 years. Two cases were hospitalized for a short time and discharged in the meantime. Other epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cases detected in Luxembourg are very similar to those reported at the European level.
Monkeypox vaccination for some people at risk in the National Service for Infectious Diseases began on August 16, 2022. As of August 24, 284 people have been vaccinated and a total of 1,029 vaccination appointments (first and/or second injections) have been taken. Luxembourg has just received an additional 200 doses of the vaccine from the Netherlands in order to better meet the high demand. Therefore, our country now has a total of 1,600 doses to vaccinate at least 800 people. Those at risk who wish to be vaccinated can make an appointment at the following phone number: 411-3129.
The Ministry of Health reminds that it is important to protect yourself from the virus and avoid dangerous situations to reduce the spread of the virus. Infected people should isolate and avoid contact with others, cover lesions and blisters and practice hand hygiene. Among the preventive measures, it is recommended to reduce the number of sexual partners and not to share personal belongings with infected people or who have been in contact with infected people (bed linen, towel, razor, etc.).
[1] https://monkeypoxreport.ecdc.europa.eu/Ministry of Health notification
