Serbia has confirmed a new case of mpox, identified in a 30-year-old man who recently returned from West Africa. The patient, who is also the first confirmed case in the Kosovo region, was hospitalized on December 24 after exhibiting symptoms such as fever, chills, and skin lesions on his face and hands. According to the regional Institute of Public Health, the patient’s condition is stable, and all close contacts have been traced and given infection control guidelines.
Efforts to Contain Mpox Spread
The confirmed case marks Serbia’s first mpox diagnosis since the outbreak began in June 2022. Health authorities are actively monitoring the situation, following guidelines to prevent further transmission of the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to classify the mpox outbreak as a public health emergency, with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) noting that although more imported cases are expected in Europe, the likelihood of sustained transmission remains low.
Mpox Cases in Europe
Recent reports from the ECDC have highlighted additional cases in Europe. Germany reported a cluster of four mpox cases on December 15, while Belgium confirmed its first case of mpox virus clade Ib on December 18, linked to travel from an affected African country. These reports underscore the ongoing vigilance needed to manage imported mpox cases in Europe.
