Monkeypox continues to spread: New cases have been reported in several European countries and the WHO warns of further spreading. After Sweden’s first confirmed case of monkeypox infection, the country’s government has classified the rare viral disease as dangerous to the general public. “The classification makes it possible to take measures to prevent contamination to prevent further spread,” explains Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren.
“It is also important that the information reaches risk groups and that health services are prepared to treat and follow up on suspected cases,” the minister emphasized. In Sweden, the first case of monkey pox was registered in the Stockholm area on Thursday.
Outbreak at Fetish Festival
But several infections have also been confirmed in Belgium and Spain. The monkey pox cases in Belgium are apparently related to a large fetish festival in Antwerp. The organizers of the Darklands Festival said on Friday that authorities had linked the contamination to the festival. The Darklands Festival took place in early May and, according to the organizers, is aimed at the “different groups of the gay fetish community”. Belgium has so far officially confirmed three cases of monkey pox.
A gay sauna in the Spanish capital Madrid had to temporarily close due to a suspected link to an outbreak of monkey pox. The “El Paraíso” sauna club will remain closed for the next few days as a “precautionary measure,” the operators said on Twitter on Friday. Authorities have registered 21 confirmed cases and 19 suspected cases, said Enrique Ruiz Escudero, a representative of the health authorities of the Madrid region. Most of those who tested positive would have a connection to the sauna.
Monkeypox, which is especially widespread in Central and West Africa, has been detected in several European and North American countries since early May. After the first cases in Britain, there were also reports from the US and several European countries. So far, no case has been reported in Austria.
WHO warns of spread in Europe
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the spread of monkeypox in Europe. WHO Europe chief Hans Kluge said Friday he was concerned that the spread of the virus in the region could accelerate during the summer months. Mass events, festivals and celebrations could drive transmission. In addition, many people are not familiar with the symptoms. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is mainly gay or bisexual men who have become infected.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
