Europe has reported 19,429 cases of monkeypox, led by Spain with 5,719 cases, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control data published on August 16. This snapshot reflects the trajectory of monkeypox across multiple countries and highlights how a regional outbreak can unfold with varying impact. Source: ECDC.
Among the reported cases, up to 505 individuals required hospitalization, which accounts for roughly 5.8 percent of the total. Of those hospitalized, 179 needed clinical care beyond standard observation, underscoring the spectrum of illness severity observed in the population. In Europe, three patients with monkeypox were admitted to intensive care, and two of those patients died. Both fatalities occurred in Spain, emphasizing that while most cases are mild, severe outcomes can occur. Source: ECDC.
Healthcare workers accounted for a total of 57 reported cases, though none of these positives were attributed to occupational exposure based on available data. This distinction helps illuminate potential transmission pathways and informs workplace protection strategies. Source: ECDC.
The earliest known sample collected in Europe dates from March 7, with retrospective testing confirming the presence of the virus. The earliest symptom onset date reported is April 3, marking the initial clinical recognition of the outbreak in the region. Source: ECDC.
Demographic and clinical patterns reveal that most European monkeypox cases occur in adults aged between 31 and 40. In this age group, a substantial portion represents the total cases, and men constitute the overwhelming majority of reported infections. For example, among known cases with serostatus information, about 38 percent tested seropositive, indicating previous exposure or immune response markers. Source: ECDC.
The clinical presentation typically includes skin lesions, with acne-like eruptions being common in a large share of cases, alongside systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, chills, and headaches. These clinical features align with the broader understanding of monkeypox as a disease that can cause both localized and systemic signs, affecting quality of life and healthcare utilization. Source: ECDC.
Geographically, the distribution of cases by country shows Spain at the forefront, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands. Trailing countries include Portugal, Italy, Belgium, and several others across Central and Western Europe, reflecting a widespread but uneven geographic spread. The list extends to numerous nations with varying case counts, illustrating how surveillance and reporting practices shape the visible picture of the outbreak. Source: ECDC.