This afternoon, a patient with monkeypox was confirmed in the Netherlands for the first time. RIVM researchers confirmed that the person has monkeypox with a PCR test. In recent days it was already known that several people in Europe tested positive for this disease. People in Portugal, Great Britain and Belgium, among others, have already tested positive for the virus.
Monkeypox is a poxvirus, which primarily occurs in countries in West Africa and Central Africa. The virus is common in rodents, but humans can also get the virus. The symptoms are usually mild after an infection.
Multiple patients possible
The researchers and doctors of RIVM expect that more people may have become infected with the disease. After the weekend, we will give an update on any new infections that have become known.