Monkeypox is a viral disease that spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact.
Published: October 23, 2025 12:05 AM IST
New Delhi: The first case of a new, more contagious variant of monkeypox has been reported in the Netherlands. Jan Anthony Bruijn, the country’s Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, wrote a letter to Parliament. He stated that the infection was identified on October 17, and this is the first time monkeypox variant 1b has been confirmed in the Netherlands.
The minister stated in the letter that the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are monitoring the situation and taking it seriously. However, he also assured the public that the risk of further spread of this variant appears to be low.
The infected person had not received the monkeypox vaccine
According to the news agency Xinhua, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reported that the person who was found infected had not received the monkeypox vaccine and had not travelled internationally. This suggests that the infection has spread within the country. The infected individual has been isolated, and the local health department is investigating their travel history, contacts, and the source of the infection.
Monkeypox is a viral disease that spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, rashes, and back pain.
How the risk of contracting monkeypox increases
According to the RIVM, the virus is usually spread through direct physical contact with an infected person. This contact can occur through skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, or mouth-to-skin contact. In addition, close contact with someone infected with monkeypox can spread the virus, as infected particles can be spread through the air.
Experts say that people who have multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of contracting monkeypox. The virus can also be spread through contaminated clothing, bed sheets, towels, or used items. In hospitals, needlesticks can also spread the infection if precautions are not taken. Places like tattoo parlours, where skin-related procedures are performed, can also spread the virus if proper hygiene is not maintained.
Monkeypox is dangerous for pregnant women
This infection can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women. If monkeypox is contracted during pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the unborn child. This can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death, or complications for both mother and child. Therefore, health experts recommend that pregnant women take special precautions.
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