First Case of Mpox Variant 1b Detected in Netherlands: What You Need to Know About This Transmissible Strain

Mpox is a viral infectious disease that spreads primarily through close physical contact between individuals.

The Hague:

The Netherlands has identified its first case of the new, more contagious mpox variant 1b, according to Health, Welfare and Sport Minister Jan Anthonie Bruijn in his parliamentary letter.

The infection, discovered on October 17, marks the inaugural detection of mpox variant 1b within Dutch borders.

"This is the first time that this new mpox-variant has been identified in the Netherlands," stated the minister in his communication. He further noted that both the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) are "closely monitoring the situation."

According to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the infected individual had not received vaccination against mpox and reported no recent travel history, as cited by Xinhua news agency.

The patient has been isolated, while local public health officials conduct thorough source and contact tracing. Minister Bruijn offered reassurance, indicating that "the risk of further spread appears to be small."

The RIVM explains that mpox transmission occurs mainly through skin-to-skin contact, with symptoms including painful lesions, fever, and fatigue.

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, causes symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rash, and back pain.

The disease spreads primarily through close physical contact with infected individuals, particularly among household members. Transmission routes include skin-to-skin contact, mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin interaction, and face-to-face exposure through talking or breathing near someone with the infection, which can generate infectious respiratory particles.

Individuals with multiple sexual partners face elevated risk of contracting mpox.

The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated objects like clothing or linens, via needle injuries in healthcare settings, or in community environments such as tattoo establishments.

During pregnancy or childbirth, the virus may transfer to the baby. Mpox infection during pregnancy poses significant dangers to the fetus or newborn, potentially resulting in pregnancy loss, stillbirth, neonatal death, or complications for the parent.

Animal-to-human transmission occurs when humans are bitten or scratched by infected animals, or during activities such as hunting, skinning, trapping, cooking, handling carcasses, or consuming infected animals. Scientists have not yet identified the natural reservoir of the monkeypox virus, with further research underway.

Additional studies are needed to better understand mpox transmission patterns during outbreaks across different environments and conditions.