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On Friday 16 August 2024, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security issued a situation update on the current Mpox situation in the Grand Duchy.
Following the declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a "public health emergency of international concern" (PHEIC) concerning the Mpox (formerly monkeypox) epidemic, the Ministry of Health and Social Security provides the following information to the public regarding the risk of Mpox in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Current epidemiological situation
Since November 2023, an epidemic caused by clade I of the Mpox virus has mainly affected the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has spread to other neighbouring African countries. On 15 August 2024, Sweden reported the first case with clade I in Europe, while until now, only cases of clade II had been observed on the continent.
Since 2022, there have been more than 27,000 cases of Mpox clade II reported in Europe, mainly affecting men who have sex with men. Mortality among these cases in Europe has been low so far. In 2024, nearly a hundred cases have been reported at European level.
In Luxembourg, since 2022 there have been 61 cases of Mpox (clade II) reported, mainly affecting adult men. The vast majority of these cases had a mild or moderate form of the disease and did not require hospitalisation. No deaths have been reported so far.
Risk for the public in Luxembourg
According to the latest risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease Control1, for the general public in Europe, including those residing in Luxembourg, the risk associated with the Mpox clade I virus is considered low. The virus is mainly transmitted by close contact (skin-to-skin), including sexual contact with an infected person.
Surveillance
National health authorities are in close contact with international authorities. Based on current knowledge, the Health Directorate has implemented robust measures to monitor and control any occurrence of cases, with systematic contact tracing. If necessary, additional resources could be rapidly mobilised to stem transmission.
Vaccination
Luxembourg maintains a sufficient stock of Mpox vaccines. Given the low risk in Europe and Luxembourg, no vaccination campaign for the general public is currently planned.
According to the recommendations of the CSMI2, vaccination is administered in two doses for the general population, three doses for immunocompromised people. Only people at risk should be vaccinated.
It is considered that people who have received a complete vaccination course with the Jynneos or Imvanex vaccines remain protected against the new variant.
Suspected cases
People who think they have contracted the disease - for example, because of suspicious lesions and a recent stay in an African region affected by Mpox are invited to contact their doctor or to contact the Health Inspectorate by tel: 2478565-0 or by e-mail: inspection.sanitaire@ms.etat.lu. They can also contact the National Infectious Diseases Service at the Luxembourg Hospital Center (CHL) by tel: 4411-3091 or 4411-2730 before going to a doctor's office, hospital or medical centre.
In case of (life-threatening) emergency, tel: 112 should be contacted.