Researchers at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (IMT) in Antwerp have found an explanation for the rapid spread of the Mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox virus), they said on Thursday. “High-risk contacts are contagious four days before symptoms appear“, reveals a study of the institute.
After examining samples from “high risk contacts“, the ITM concludes that people infected with the virus can transmit it even before showing symptoms.”This is an important explanation for the spread of the virus“, says the institute. In Belgium and the rest of Europe, the monkeypox epidemic is nevertheless on the decline.
“Since the first case identified in May, we have learned that the Mpox virus is transmissible without necessarily showing symptoms.“, explains Koen Vercauteren from the clinical virology department at ITM.
