Following the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the epidemic of Mpox (formerly monkeypox), the Ministry of Health and Social Security is providing the following information to the public on 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 of clade I in Europe, while only clade II cases had previously been observed on the continent.
Since 2022, more than 27,000 cases of Mpox clade II have been reported in Europe, mainly among men who have sex with men. Mortality among these cases in Europe has been low so far. In 2024, almost a hundred cases were reported at European level.
In Luxembourg, 61 cases of Mpox (clade II) have been reported since 2022, mainly affecting adult men. The vast majority of these cases were mild or moderate and did not require hospitalisation. No deaths have been reported.
Risk to the population of Luxembourg
According to the latest risk assessment by the European Centre for Disease Control (1), the risk associated with Mpox clade I virus is considered to be low for the general population in Europe, including those living in Luxembourg. The virus is mainly transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, especially sexual contact with an infected person.
Supervision
National health authorities are in close contact with international authorities. Based on current knowledge, the Ministry of Health has put in place robust measures to monitor and control any outbreak, including systematic contact tracing. If necessary, additional resources can be rapidly mobilised to contain transmission.
Vaccination
Luxembourg maintains a sufficient stock of Mpox vaccines. Given the low risk in Europe and in Luxembourg, no vaccination campaign for the general population is currently planned.
According to the recommendations of the CSMI (2), the vaccination consists of 2 doses for the general population and 3 doses for immunocompromised individuals. Only persons at risk should be vaccinated.
People who have received a full course of Jynneos or Imvanex are considered to be protected against the new variant.
Suspected cases
People who think they may have contracted the disease - for example, because of suspicious lesions or a recent stay in an African region affected by Mpox - are asked to contact their doctor or the health inspectorate by telephone on 247 85 65 0 or by e-mail at inspection.sanitaire@ms.etat.lu. They can also contact the Service National des Maladies Infectieuses at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) on 44 11 30 91 or 44 11 27 30 before visiting a doctor's surgery, hospital or medical centre.
In case of a life-threatening emergency, call 112.
(2) CONSEIL SUPERIEUR DES MALADIES INFECTIEUSES (CSMI) (public.lu)
Press release by the Ministry of Health and Social Security