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17-08-2024

Following Detection of Mpox Clade I in Europe NPHC Reminds of Ways Mpox Can Spread and How to Avoid It

Iliustracija

Since the end of 2023, mpox virus clade I has been spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with tens of thousands of cases reported so far. This week, the first case of mpox clade I was reported in Sweden. No cases of this strain have been reported in Lithuania. The National Public Health Centre reminds the citizens how mpox can spread, what dangers it poses and how to protect against it.

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. There are two known types of this virus: clade l, previously called the Congo Basin clade, and clade II, previously called the West African clade, which is divided into two subclades: clade IIa and clade IIb.

Infection is contracted through close or direct contact with the swollen skin of the affected person

Mpox is not as readily transmissible. It instead relies on close physical contact with a person who has developed symptoms. The following routes of infection are possible:

  • through body fluids (pus or blood) from skin lesions or scabs;
  • through respiratory droplets from prolonged face-to-face contact with a sick person;
  • through bed linen, towels, clothing and other environmental items used by the sick person;
  • through sexual contact (kissing, touching, intercourse).

A person is contagious until after all the scabs on the skin have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed underneath (usually 2-4 weeks).

Who is at highest risk of infection and how can they protect against it?

A direct contact with a sick person poses the highest risk of infection. In order to protect against mpox:

  • avoid direct contact (skin-to-skin, face-to-face) with people who show symptoms;
  • practise safe sex;
  • practice good hand hygiene, especially before and after contact with a symptomatic person and their belongings;
  • wear medical masks when caring for an ill person.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of the disease may be mild or severe. Mpox typically include:

  • rash with vesicles on the face, hands, feet, eyes, mouth and/or genitals and perineum;
  • fever;
  • enlarged lymph nodes;
  • headache;
  • sore throat;
  • muscle and back pain;
  • lack of energy.      

If you have visited African countries where the disease is spreading, or any country where you have had close contact with a sick person, and you have experienced any of the symptoms of mpox, contact your dermatovenereologist or the hospital with an infectious disease centre/department directly.

In Lithuania, people at risk, i.e. men over 18 years of age who have sex with men, can be vaccinated against mpox.

The vaccine is also available to persons who have had high-risk contact with a sick person and are over 18 years of age. Such persons are identified by the National Public Health Centre (NPHC) after being interviewed.

A referral from a family doctor is not required for preventive vaccination. The vaccination is available at the Centro Poliklinika, Vilnius, by registering for vaccination service through the Advance Patient Registration Information System (by selecting the municipality of Vilnius City, Centro Poliklinika, and the "Mpox vaccinations for men").

In Europe, since 2022, when mpox cases started to be registered, by August 2024, a total of 22 662 cases of mpox have been confirmed in 29 EU/EEA countries (860 cases in 2023, and 685 cases in 2024). All cases are caused by monkeypox virus clade II. In Lithuania, 5 cases have been registered and laboratory confirmed in 2022.

 

 

Last updated: 17-08-2024

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