2022–2023 monkeypox outbreak in Europe
# 2022–2023 monkeypox outbreak in Europe

The 2022 monkeypox outbreak in Europe is a part of the outbreak of human monkeypox caused by the West African clade of the monkeypox virus. The outbreak reached Europe on 6 May 2022 when the United Kingdom reported their first case of monkeypox. As of 13 July 2022, 35 European countries and territories have confirmed cases.

## Background

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and some other animals. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms ranges from five to twenty-one days. The duration of symptoms is typically two to four weeks. There may be mild symptoms, and it may occur without any symptoms being apparent. The classic presentation of fever and muscle pains, followed by swollen glands, with lesions all at the same stage, has not been found to be common to all outbreaks. Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.

The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, a zoonotic virus in the genus Orthopoxvirus. The variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, is also in this genus. Of the two types in humans, clade II (formerly West African clade) causes a less severe disease than the Central African (Congo basin) type. It may spread from infected animals by handling infected meat or via bites or scratches. Human-to-human transmission can occur through exposure to infected body fluids or contaminated objects, by small droplets, and possibly through the airborne route. People can spread the virus from the onset of symptoms until all the lesions have scabbed and fallen off; with some evidence of spread for more than a week after lesions have crusted. Diagnosis can be confirmed by testing a lesion for the virus's DNA.

## Transmission

A large portion of those infected were believed to have not recently traveled to areas of Africa where monkeypox is normally found, such as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as central and western Africa. It is believed to be transmitted by close contact with sick people, with extra caution for those individuals with lesions on their skin or genitals, along with their bedding and clothing. The CDC has also stated that individuals should avoid contact and consumption of dead animals such as rats, squirrels, monkeys and apes along with wild game or lotions derived from animals in Africa.

In addition to more common symptoms, such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes or lesions, some patients have also experienced proctitis, an inflammation of the rectum lining. CDC has also warned clinicians to not rule out monkeypox in patients with sexually transmitted infections since there have been reports of co-infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes.

## Timeline

### Arrival

An index case was imported into the United Kingdom in late April 2022, by a man who had travelled to Nigeria, where the disease is endemic. He had already showed symptoms since 29 April, and was admitted to hospital in London on 6 May. On 12 May, the man was confirmed to have contracted monkeypox. The following day, another monkeypox case was confirmed, and the United Kingdom reported these cases to the World Health Organization (WHO).

### Cases transited through Europe

**May**

**18 May**

On 18 May, Spain and Portugal both confirmed their first cases of monkeypox following the confirmation of monkeypox in the United Kingdom starting an outbreak in the countries. It is unknown how it was contracted, but most likely via travel or skin-to-skin contact abroad.

**May**

**19 May**

On 19 May, Belgium confirmed its first cases of monkeypox in two Belgian men, it was later confirmed by Reuters that the men had gone to the same party.

Later, Italy confirmed its first case of monkeypox in an Italian man in Rome, the man was isolated at the Spallanzani Hospital. The disease was likely contracted from a stay in the Canary Islands. There were 2 suspected cases, which later became confirmed cases.

Sweden then confirmed its first case of monkeypox in Stockholm, the Swedish Health Agency confirmed it later. The person was not reported to be a woman or a man, but it was most likely a man. It is unknown how it was contracted, but likely via travel or skin-to-skin contact abroad.

**May**

**20 May**

On 20 May, France reported their first case of monkeypox. The patient had no travel history, meaning he didn't contract the disease abroad.

On the same day, Germany and the Netherlands reported their first cases of monkeypox. It was unknown how it was contracted in both stories, but likely via travel or skin-to-skin contact abroad.

**May**

**21 May**

On 21 May, Switzerland confirmed its first case of monkeypox. It was in a person of undisclosed gender, contracted through "close physical contact" abroad, according to Reuters.

**May**

**22 May**

On 22 May, Austria confirmed its first case of monkeypox. It is unknown how it was contracted or who contracted it, but likely via travel or skin-to-skin contact abroad.

**May**

**23 May**

On 23 May, Denmark detected its first monkeypox infection. It was in an adult male, likely contracted from a trip to Spain, according to Reuters. No cases of monkeypox were detected in Greenland, a Danish constituent country in North America.

**May**

**24 May**

On 24 May, the Czech Republic registered its first case of monkeypox in a woman, likely picked up from a festival in Belgium, according to Reuters.

On the same day, Slovenia also registered its first case of monkeypox. It was in a traveller of undisclosed gender who likely contracted monkeypox from a trip to the Canary Islands, according to Reuters.

**May**

**27 May**

On 27 May, Ireland confirmed its first case of monkeypox in the east of the country. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) commenced publication of a weekly report on the epidemiology of human monkeypox in Ireland on 9 June.

On the same day, Finland also confirmed its first case of monkeypox. It was in a man who likely had contracted the disease from a trip to another European country, according to Reuters.

**May**

**28 May**

On 28 May, Malta registered its first case of monkeypox. It was in an adult male, who most likely picked up the disease abroad from one of the countries affected by the outbreak, according to the Malta Times.

**May**

**31 May**

On 31 May, Hungary confirmed its first case of monkeypox, in an adult male. It is still being investigated whether or not he recently travelled, though it is unknown how the man contracted the disease.

On the same day, Norway confirmed its first case of monkeypox. It was in a person of undisclosed gender who most likely contracted the disease from travelling abroad. The case was linked to the ongoing outbreak in Europe, meaning that the patient may have travelled to a European country that was affected by the outbreak.

**June**

**1 June**

On 1 June, Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, registered its first case of monkeypox in a Spanish resident of undisclosed gender working in Gibraltar. The patient likely contracted the disease from close contact with another Spanish national also working in Gibraltar.

**June**

**3 June**

On 3 June, Latvia confirmed its first monkeypox infection. It was in an elderly person of undisclosed gender who most likely contracted the disease abroad.

**June**

**8 June**

On 8 June, Greece confirmed the country's first monkeypox case. It was in a person of undisclosed gender who likely contracted the disease from a trip to Portugal.

**June**

**9 June**

On 9 June, Iceland confirmed its first monkeypox case. It was in two men who most likely contracted the disease from a trip to Europe.

**June**

**10 June**

On 10 June, Poland confirmed its first monkeypox case. It is unknown who the patient is or how it was contracted, but it is possible it was picked up via travel or skin-to-skin contact.

**June**

**13 June**

On 13 June, Romania confirmed its first monkeypox infection. It was in an adult male who most likely contracted the disease from his partner who travelled in several different European countries that have been affected by monkeypox at the time.

**June**

**15 June**

On 15 June, Luxembourg confirmed its first monkeypox case. It is unknown how it was contracted, though it is being investigated. The disease was likely picked up via travelling abroad or skin-to-skin contact.

On the same day, Georgia also confirmed its first case of monkeypox. It was in a patient of undisclosed gender who likely contracted the disease from a trip to Europe.

**June**

**17 June**

On 17 June, Serbia confirmed its first case of monkeypox. It was in a patient of undisclosed gender. It was revealed that it was an "imported case", meaning that the patient may have contracted the disease abroad.

**June**

**23 June**

On 23 June, Bulgaria confirmed its first monkeypox case. It was in two men who most likely contracted the disease from a trip to Spain and the United Kingdom but don't reckon any contact with infected persons.

On the same day, Croatia also received its first case of monkeypox. It was in an adult man who most likely contracted the disease from a stay in Italy and Spain.

**June**

**28 June**

On 28 June, Estonia confirmed its first case of monkeypox. It was in a middle-aged man who most likely contracted the disease abroad. He had no close contacts with anyone in Estonia.

**July**

**2 July**

On 2 July, Andorra registered its first monkeypox case in a woman of unknown age. It is unknown how it was contracted, but it may likely have been picked up either abroad via travel or via skin-to-skin contact.

**July**

**7 July**

On July 7, Slovakia received its first case of monkeypox. It was in a person of undisclosed gender in the 20-59 age group who most likely contracted the disease abroad.

**July**

**12 July**

On 12 July, Russia confirmed its first case of monkeypox. It was in a man probably in his 20-25 age group who likely contracted the disease from a trip to Europe where the outbreak had started. The man then tested positive for the virus and was isolated in a hospital, most likely in Saint Petersburg.

**July**

**13 July**

On 13 July, Bosnia and Herzegovina registered its first monkeypox case. It is unknown how it was contracted, although the disease was likely picked up abroad via travel or skin-to-skin contact.

**July**

**22 July**

On 22 July, Monaco confirmed its first case of monkeypox, in a man who most likely had travelled to France where the disease was spreading. The Princess Grace Hospital Centre later reported that the first case of the disease had been confirmed in the residential area of La Colle.

**September**

**15 September**

On 15 September, Ukraine's Ministry of Health reported the country's first case of monkeypox. The Ministry noted that the patient, who did not travel abroad, was experiencing "mild symptoms" and undergoing hospital treatment. The region where the case was reported was not disclosed.

## Responses

### World Health Organization (WHO)

On 20 May, the WHO convened an emergency meeting of independent advisers to discuss the outbreak and assess the threat level. Its European chief, Hans Kluge, expressed concern that infections could accelerate in Europe as people gather for parties and festivals over the summer. On 14 June, the WHO announced plans to rename the monkeypox virus in order to combat stigma and racism surrounding the disease. Another meeting convened on 23 June determined that the outbreak does not constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for the time being.

### Countries

The majority of European countries responded to the outbreak, and the responses of some are listed below.

* Belgium: The Risk Assessment Group (RAG) and health authorities declared that those infected with monkeypox must self-isolate for 21 days.
* Germany: Fabian Leendertz of the Robert Koch Institute described the outbreak as an epidemic that will not last long: "The cases can be well isolated via contact tracing and there are also drugs and effective vaccines that can be used if necessary."
* Ireland: The Health Service Executive (HSE) has set up a multidisciplinary incident management team to prepare for the possible arrival of monkeypox, and infectious diseases experts are on alert for patients with symptoms of the virus.
* Kosovo: On 23 May, the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute, have drafted a document of recommendations and measures to help prevent the spread of the disease. In a press statement, healthcare authorities have declared that the situation is being closely monitored.
* Luxembourg: On 21 May, the Ministry of Health said that they are monitoring the situation with its Europe. he National Infectious Diseases Department of the HLC and refrain from close contact activities until the infection has resolved.
* United Kingdom: On 22 May, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said "we're taking it very, very seriously" and that the UK government had already started purchasing smallpox vaccines. The Terrence Higgins Trust and British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) expressed concern about the impact on sexual health services in the United Kingdom.

### Dependent territories

* Gibraltar: On 31 May, a Strategic Coordination Group met to discuss Gibraltar's state of preparedness in the eventuality that a case of Monkeypox was confirmed in the territory amid the rapid rise of cases in the United Kingdom and Spain.

## Cases per country and territory

This is a table of confirmed and suspected monkeypox cases in European countries during the ongoing 2022 monkeypox outbreak. It does not include countries where suspected cases were reported but later discarded. (As of 13 July 2022)

Cases of monkeypox by countries of Europe (last updated on as of 8 July 2022) :

| Country | Confirmed | Suspected | Total | Last update | First confirmed case |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Andorra | 1 | — | 1 | 8 July 2022 | 2 July 2022 |
| Austria | 83 | — | 83 | 14 July 2022 | 22 May 2022 |
| Belgium | 225 | 1 | 226 | 14 July 2022 | 19 May 2022 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 | — | 1 | 13 July 2022 | 13 July 2022 |
| Bulgaria | 3 | — | 3 | 5 July 2022 | 23 June 2022 |
| Croatia | 3 | — | 3 | 12 July 2022 | 23 June 2022 |
| Czech Republic | 12 | — | 12 | 13 July 2022 | 24 May 2022 |
| Denmark | 32 | — | 32 | 13 July 2022 | 23 May 2022 |
| Estonia | 2 | — | 2 | 5 July 2022 | 28 June 2022 |
| Finland | 13 | — | 13 | 11 July 2022 | 27 May 2022 |
| France | 912 | — | 912 | 12 July 2022 | 20 May 2022 |
| Georgia | 2 | — | 2 | 28 June 2022 | 15 June 2022 |
| Germany | 1,859 | — | 1,859 | 15 July 2022 | 20 May 2022 |
| Gibraltar | 5 | — | 5 | 14 July 2022 | 1 June 2022 |
| Greece | 12 | — | 12 | 13 July 2022 | 8 June 2022 |
| Hungary | 28 | — | 28 | 13 July 2022 | 31 May 2022 |
| Iceland | 6 | — | 6 | 7 July 2022 | 9 June 2022 |
| Ireland | 85 | — | 85 | 27 July 2022 | 27 May 2022 |
| Italy | 339 | — | 339 | 15 July 2022 | 19 May 2022 |
| Latvia | 2 | — | 2 | 5 July 2022 | 3 June 2022 |
| Luxembourg | 7 | — | 7 | 5 July 2022 | 15 June 2022 |
| Malta | 9 | — | 9 | 13 July 2022 | 28 May 2022 |
| Netherlands | 549 | — | 549 | 14 July 2022 | 20 May 2022 |
| Norway | 35 | — | 35 | 14 July 2022 | 31 May 2022 |
| Poland | 22 | — | 22 | 13 July 2022 | 10 June 2022 |
| Portugal | 515 | — | 515 | 14 July 2022 | 18 May 2022 |
| Romania | 16 | — | 16 | 14 July 2022 | 13 June 2022 |
| Russia | 1 | — | 1 | 12 July 2022 | 12 July 2022 |
| Serbia | 5 | — | 5 | 14 July 2022 | 17 June 2022 |
| Slovakia | 1 | — | 1 | 7 July 2022 | 7 July 2022 |
| Slovenia | 19 | — | 19 | 13 July 2022 | 24 May 2022 |
| Spain | 4,371 | 62 | 4,433 | 12 July 2022 | 18 May 2022 |
| Sweden | 58 | — | 58 | 13 July 2022 | 19 May 2022 |
| Switzerland | 181 | — | 181 | 13 July 2022 | 21 May 2022 |
| Ukraine | 3 | — | 3 | 22 September 2022 | 15 September 2022 |
| United Kingdom | 2,469 | — | 2,469 | 14 July 2022 | 6 May 2022 |
| Total | 10,005 | 82 | 10,087 | — | — |

### Timeline of first confirmed cases by country or territory

First confirmed monkeypox cases by country or territory :

| Date | Countries / Territories |
| - | - |
| 6 May 2022 | United Kingdom |
| 18 May 2022 | Spain • Portugal |
| 19 May 2022 | Belgium • Italy • Sweden |
| 20 May 2022 | France • Germany • Netherlands |
| 21 May 2022 | Switzerland |
| 22 May 2022 | Austria |
| 23 May 2022 | Denmark |
| 24 May 2022 | Czech Republic • Slovenia |
| 27 May 2022 | Finland • Ireland |
| 28 May 2022 | Malta |
| 31 May 2022 | Hungary • Norway |
| 1 June 2022 | Gibraltar |
| 3 June 2022 | Latvia |
| 8 June 2022 | Greece |
| 9 June 2022 | Iceland |
| 10 June 2022 | Poland |
| 13 June 2022 | Romania |
| 15 June 2022 | Luxembourg • Georgia |
| 17 June 2022 | Serbia |
| 23 June 2022 | Bulgaria • Croatia |
| 28 June 2022 | Estonia |
| 2 July 2022 | Andorra |
| 7 July 2022 | Slovakia |
| 12 July 2022 | Russia |
| 13 July 2022 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 15 September 2022 | Ukraine |

**Timeline of suspected cases by country or territory**

Countries listed below had only suspected cases at the time of reporting. Some countries reported confirmed cases after reporting suspected cases. Countries listed several times reported suspected cases again after they discarded suspected cases before.

Timeline of suspected monkeypox cases by country or territory :

| Date | Countries / Territories |
| - | - |
| 20 May 2022 | Greece (discounted on 22 May) |
| 5 June 2022 | Georgia (confirmed on 15 June) |

As of 11 July 2022, 33 European countries and territories have been affected by the pandemic.

