The monkey pox virus has now been diagnosed in 211 people in the Netherlands, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reported Friday.
That is 44 more than Wednesday, when RIVM reported 167 cases. The institute sees the increase in the number of new cases per week.
However, it is difficult to say how fast the epidemic is increasing, according to the RIVM. This is due to the long incubation period. The institute plans to share more information next week.
Most people with the virus are men who have sex with men. Health authorities do emphasize that anyone can get monkey pox after close contact with someone who is infected. The services expect that the number of infections in Europe will increase for the time being.
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Those who contract monkey pox can suffer from fever, headache, muscle aches and general malaise. After a few days, a rash with blisters appears on the skin. Usually people don’t get very sick from an infection. The virus can be dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, children and pregnant women.