Belgian media reported, on Monday, that those infected with the monkeypox virus will remain in isolation for 21 days. Belgium is the first country in the world to impose this obligation.
According to information received from the newspaper “De Standard”, four cases of HIV infection have been detected in Belgium so far. From this weekend onwards, those infected must be isolated.
Monkeypox virus is found mainly in West and Central Africa. It belongs to the same family as smallpox. The symptoms are also the same: fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and rash. Blisters filled with clear fluid or pus on the skin. At some point, these blisters burst and crusts form.
The virus has already appeared in the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Israel, Australia, Canada and the United States.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that it can spread through wounds, body fluids and items such as bedding, but it can also be present in the air.
Belgian virologist Marc van Ranst claims in De Standard that the latter path has not yet been confirmed and is currently under investigation.
Andrzej Pawluszek (PAP)
oppa / teepee /
