53 Cases of Monkeypox Reported in Luxembourg

In its weekly update on the monkeypox virus, issued on Friday 2 September 2022, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health confirmed that a total of 53 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the Grand Duchy to date.

As of 30 August 2022, a total of 22,363 cases of monkeypox in 43 countries and areas in the European region had been reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This represents an increase of 1,265 cases over one week.

The first known case dates back to 7 March 2022 and was identified by a retrospective test on a residual sample. The first onset of symptoms was reported on 3 April  2022. The majority of cases concerned people aged 31 to 40 years (8,746 / 21,998 - 40%), particularly men (21,710 / 21,710 - 98.7%). Of the 9,053 male cases whose sexual orientation was known, 97% identified themselves as men who have sex with men. Of the cases with known HIV status, 37% (3,304 / 8,964) were HIV positive.

The majority of cases presented with rash (10,470 / 13.685 - 76.5%) and systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, chills, a sore throat or headache (9,294 / 13,685 - 68%). 607 people with monkeypox were hospitalised (5.9%), including 206 who required clinical care. Three infected individuals were admitted to an intensive care unit, all of whom died of monkeypox. To date, 84 cases have been reported to be healthcare workers, of which three cases had been exposed to the virus at work. In all three cases, the healthcare workers had been wearing the recommended personal protective equipment, but were exposed to body fluids while collecting samples.

In Luxembourg, a total of 53 cases of monkeypox had been confirmed up to 30 August 2022 inclusive. This represents an increase of three cases compared to the previous week (23 cases). So far, all the cases detected concern men with an average age of 37 years. Three individuals were hospitalised for a short period but have since been discharged from hospital. According to the Health Ministry, the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cases detected in Luxembourg are very similar to the cases reported at the European level.

Up to 30 August 2022, a total of 384 at-risk people had been vaccinated against monkeypox: 381 people had received a first dose and three had received a second dose.

The recommendation of the Superior Council of Infectious Diseases (Conseil supérieur des maladies infectieuses - CSMI) of 24 August 2022 provides for the administration of a single vaccine dose to people who have received a previous vaccination against smallpox with a live first or second generation vaccine (people born before 1977 or those with a typical vaccination scar on their arm). In these cases, therefore, only one dose will be administered in the future. Patients who do not fall into this category will continue to receive two doses of the vaccine.

Luxembourg's Health Directorate recalled the importance of protecting oneself against the virus and avoiding risky situations in order to limit its spread. Infected individuals should be isolated and avoid contact with other people, cover lesions and pimples and practise good hand hygiene. Protective measures include limiting the number of one's sexual partners and not sharing personal effects (bed linen, towels, razors, etc.) with infected individuals or with those who have been in contact with infected individuals.