In recent weeks, the monkeypox virus has been diagnosed in humans in various places in Europe. In the Netherlands there are so far twelve people with monkey pox. The virus does not appear to be very contagious, but much is still unclear about its spread. We saw many questions about the virus on our response platform NUyou. These are RIVM’s answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Door Sarah SitanalaThe virus is transmitted through intimate contact, but it is not an STI?
“No, monkeypox is not an STI. The virus spreads through skin-to-skin contact. Virus particles that are in the blisters, for example, can then come into contact with the mucous membranes or unnoticed small cracks in your skin. have skin contact, the virus can spread more easily.”
With today’s knowledge, it does not seem that you spread the virus very easily, as with corona.
How is it possible that we know so little about the virus and that there is a vaccine?
“We have been familiar with this virus for a long time, but we see in the current monkeypox outbreak that the virus behaves differently,” RIVM said. “That’s why it’s important that we do more research and take measures to prevent the spread.”
“The monkeypox virus is very similar to the virus that causes smallpox. This skin disease is virtually non-existent in the world, because it was successfully vaccinated against. The smallpox vaccination was part of the National Vaccination Program until the 1970s. After the disappearance of smallpox, the vaccination against it has been discontinued. The smallpox vaccine can also be used for monkey pox in the first days after a possible infection. It can also be used preventively by people with a greater chance of infection.”
Can anyone who wants just get a vaccine against smallpox? Or are there certain conditions attached to it?
“No, you cannot apply for the smallpox vaccination yourself. Only people who have a high risk of contracting the disease are offered the vaccination.”
Why isn’t the government calling on everyone to get the smallpox vaccine?
“That is not an issue at the moment. It is important to first learn more about the virus and why it behaves differently.”
Why is this disease on the so-called A-list (whereby doctors are obliged to report it to the GGD if they find the disease)? And when is a virus even classified as A-type?
“Designating monkeypox as a disease A is for the time being a temporary measure. In the coming weeks, it will be closely examined whether that measure should remain. We have known monkeypox for decades, but the current international outbreak is atypical.”
“Since much is still unknown about the current outbreak, it is essential to detect (suspected) new cases as early as possible, to isolate suspected cases and to take measures at contacts, such as monitoring and quarantine. This way, further spread can be prevented. Designating monkeypox as A disease is therefore in the interest of public health.”
The virus has been around for many years, but not in Europe. Or maybe it was, but was it not recognized? How does it actually differ from shingles? Do we have to quarantine with that?
“It is not the first time that the virus has shown itself in Europe. In recent years, this has happened occasionally in other European countries, but never before in the Netherlands. All those times, the infection can be traced back to a visit to West Africa. “
According to the RIVM, a family member was occasionally infected, but this did not lead to a further spread of the virus. “shingles is a very different disease than monkey pox.”
When is someone contagious?
“A person is contagious as soon as there are visible signs such as blisters and scabs. The blisters can also occur in less visible places, such as in the mouth.”
“Some people have flu-like symptoms before the blisters appear. We currently also consider people with these symptoms to be contagious.”
The monkeypox virus is not a new virus and we always traveled. So how is it possible that it is suddenly showing up in countries like the Netherlands and it seems to be spreading a lot faster?
“We don’t know that yet,” according to the RIVM. Incidentally, a striking number of infected people recently visited a fetish festival in Belgium, Darkland. It may have been a fire. The number of people who have tested positive in the Netherlands is now at twelve. Worldwide (in countries where the virus has not already circulated) there are now more than a hundred cases, most in Europe.
What is the death rate?
“That’s hard to say at the moment. There are figures on death rates in West Africa, but those figures are difficult to compare with the situation in Europe.”
Do you get scars from it?
“You can get scars where the blisters were.”
Can you only get it once and are you immune after that?
“Once you’ve had monkeypox or have been vaccinated against it, you usually can’t get the disease again. It is possible that skin-to-skin contact blisters will reappear. However, they will then spread less quickly.”
How long can it take for someone to develop symptoms?
“After contact with a monkeypox patient, it can take 5 to 21 days for someone to develop symptoms. The GGD asks people who have been in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus to quarantine for up to three weeks. That is really a precaution.”
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