The rise of the monkey pox virus in Belgium seems to be halting. The Belgian health authority even takes into account that the epidemic is on its way back. It is still unclear whether the development is due to the vaccinations against the virus, says Health Institute Sciensano. The vaccine helps get the virus under control, but does not prevent every infection. More than a thousand Belgians have now been vaccinated who are at extra risk of the virus.
“The monkey pox epidemic seems to be more or less stabilizing,” says Koen Blot of Sciensano. “It remains to be seen whether there will be a stagnation or even a decline in the figures.”
In the Netherlands, the number of infections is also increasing more and more slowly. Last week, with 62 new cases, the lowest weekly number since mid-June was recorded. In Belgium, there were 47 last week.