Brussels has proportionally the highest number of cases of monkeypox

The number of confirmed monkeypox cases in Belgium has risen to 393. Brussels has the highest number in proportion to its population with 133 confirmed cases, reports VRT.

Infections appear to be rising, according to the latest figures from Sciensano, the public health institute. in the capital. There were 331 infections recorded last week. 

Flanders has 218 confirmed cases (55% of the total) and Wallonia has 42 (11%). Brussels’ share is 34% of the total. 

The virus appeared in Belgium in May, with the first four cases linked to the international fetish festival Darklands that took place in Antwerp.

In terms of symptoms, almost all patients (96%) showed skin lesions, with 72% also experiencing a fever, general unwellness or swollen lymph nodes. While there have been no deaths in Belgium yet, 21 people have been hospitalised with the virus. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported last week that more than 14,000 infections have been recorded worldwide and five deaths have occurred in African countries. 

The WHO declared the monkeypox outbreak an international public health hazard last week.