Cases of monkeypox are on the rise in Europe .
According to the latest data released by the ECDC , or the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, 385 new cases were reported in sixteen EU countries from 31 May to 8 June, an increase compared to 202 confirmed a week. previous one.
The highest number of cases in the last eight days was Portugal (95), followed by Germany (92), Spain (78), France (49) and the Netherlands (28).
In Italy there are 15 confirmed cases.
Since the start of the epidemic, 704 cases have been confirmed in the EU and 1,177 in the rest of the world.
"We are monitoring the situation closely - explains a spokesman for the Commission consulted in the daily briefing on the latest data indicating growing cases of monkeypox in Europe." We are indeed concerned about the increasing numbers of monkeypox reported and are in close contact with member states in the health security committee and with ECDC colleagues to monitor the situation regarding the supply of vaccines ".
Regarding vaccines, the Commission spokesman specified: "There is a broad consensus in principle with the Member States on coordinated actions on their behalf in this context" and to activate "possible countermeasures as soon as possible".
"The exact procedures are determined by the Member States - he added however - it is important to keep in mind that the monkeypox vaccine will be limited to very specific cases in terms of transmissibility and risk".
(Unioneonline / lf)