Mpox
![Kirjainkuutioista muodostunut sana monkeypox, lääkepullo, ruiskuja, neula](https://hivpoint.fi/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Nimeton-suunn.malli-2.png)
Page last reviewed 28.8.2024
According to Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland is well prepared to combat and diagnose possible cases of mpox.
There are two different linages known for the mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox). The outbreak caused by clade II began in Europe and North America in summer 2022. The virus spread in particular through sex between men. In the years 2022-2023, a total of 43 cases in adult men were reported in Finland. This year, 2024, there have been no cases in Finland.
Central Africa and its neighboring countries are currently experiencing Africa’s second largest mpox outbreak. There have also been mpox outbreaks in the region previously. The two subtypes of clade I of mpox cause infections. Now, it has been found for the first time that clade I spreads through sexual contact.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the risk of a mpox epidemic in Europe exists, but it is low.
In Finland around 3,000 mpox vaccinations administered – vaccines still available for risk groups
A vaccine is used against mpox, and it is offered to people who have been exposed, to people in close personal contact with a person who has been diagnosed with the virus and those at high risk of infection. It is recommended that those at risk, who do not have the protection provided by having had the disease or having had two vaccine doses, still be vaccinated to prevent infections.
Vaccination of risk groups is important in Europe due to the disease caused by the still circulating clade II. Based on current information, the vaccine will likely also protect from the disease caused by clade I.
Vaccination is still recommended for risk groups.
Risk groups include:
- Men who have sex with men and who have had several occasional sexual partners during the past six months
- Men who use HIV preventive PrEP medication and have sex with men
- Men who are awaiting PrEP treatment and have sex with men
Vaccination is free of charge and can be done by appointment. The wellbeing services counties are responsible for vaccinations. Residents of these 21 wellbeing services counties can contact the health services (health care centers) of their own area.
Mpox in Europe 2022-2023
An outbreak of a disease called mpox is taking place in many countries that do not typically have cases. Infections have been linked to sex between men and have occurred especially in people who have many sexual partners. However, mpox is not a new disease. Human mpox was first identified in 1970, commonly found in Central and West Africa.
Several mpox cases have been identified through Europe since spring 2022 in communities of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. According to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) by the 27th of September more than 23,000 mpox infections have been diagnosed in Europe. Spain, Germany and the UK have had the highest number of cases.
The number of infections has been on a strong decline during 2023. By the summer of 2023, only few infections have been found in Europe. According to infection statistics, a slight increase in infections can be seen at the end of summer. Especially in Portugal, the number of infections has increased during July and August, when 40 infections have been found in 4 weeks. In other European countries, there have been hardly any or only few infections. There is hardly any or only few infections at the moment in Europe (situation spring 2024)
Read here one person’s experiences on getting the mpox infection.
Mpox cases in Finland
According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare a total of 42 cases have been confirmed by end of 2022. All infections have been found in men. There is no new mpox cases since 2022 in Finland. (Situation summer 2024)
What kind of symptoms does mpox have?
Symptoms of mpox typically include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. Skin changes may appear on the face, hands, feet, mouth and / or in the genital or anus area (especially in cases where the infection was transmitted through sex).
The symptoms of mpox can be very diverse, and it can easily be confused with STIs. Mpox can have very mild symptoms. You should pay attention to skin changes, especially if you have recently had new sexual partners.
How long will the symptoms last?
The typical incubation period is 6–13 days, but it can be up to 21 days. Symptoms typically last between 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without a treatment.
How is mpox transmitted?
Mpox does not spread from one person to another very easily. It requires close physical contact. Mpox can spread via close skin-to-skin contact during sex, including kissing, touching, oral and penetrative sex with someone who has symptoms.
The infection can be contracted through direct close contact with the skin changes of a sick person, for example through sexual contact as well as through droplets in a close face-to-face contact. Read the definition of close contacts by Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
Condom protects against sexually transmitted infections, but against mpox it does not provide adequate protection. At the moment, there is not enough information about the protection that a condom provides against mpox. Clothing, bedding and towels that have been contaminated with the virus can also infect others.
How is mpox diagnosed?
There is a test for mpox. Mpox infection can be detected in laboratory tests of samples taken from skin changes using the gene amplification (PCR) method. In Finland, samples can be taken in any health care district.
Who can get infected with mpox?
It is important to note that the risk of mpox is not limited to men who have sex with men. Anyone who has close contact with someone who is infectious is at risk. Having multiple sexual partners is known to increase the risk of getting infected. However, given that the virus is being identified in these communities, learning about mpox will help ensure that as few people as possible are affected and that the outbreak can be stopped.
How can mpox infection be prevented?
In the prevention of mpox, it is important to get information about the ways of infection and symptoms of mpox, so that you can get tested if necessary and avoid contact if you have been infected.
Several sporadic sexual contacts have been found to increase the risk of being infected with mpox. Mpox is known to be transmitted in places and events where sex is practiced. If you want to reduce the risk of mpox, you can consider reducing your sexual partners and evaluate going to places and events where you have sex.
It is good to know that the mpox situation in Finland is good at the moment, but in many European countries, such as Spain, there are significantly more mpox cases. This should be taken into account when travelling and returning from a trip. It is important to monitor your own and your partner’s symptoms and get tested if necessary.
There is a vaccine for mpox that protects against infection. Those who belong to the risk groups for mpox are recommended to take the vaccine. The vaccine has been available in Finland since October 2022 for risk groups. Read more about vaccine HERE
A condom effectively protects against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, but against mpox it does not provide adequate protection. Good hand hygiene and coughing hygiene reduce the risk of infection.
What should you do if you think you may have mpox?
If you identify a new rash anywhere on your body, seek medical advice by calling your healthcare provider. If you live in Helsinki University Hospital area (HUS), you can contact the Venereal diseases outpatient clinic. If mpox is transmitted during sex, the rash may first appear around the genitals or the anus. Avoid having close contact with anyone until the rash is completely gone.
- If possible, self-isolate and avoid close contact with others, unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.
- Ask your close contacts and sexual partners if they have had similar symptoms.
- If you notice a new rash on your partner’s body, including around the genitals and anus, talk with them and advise that they visit an STI clinic or consult a healthcare provider.
What should you do if you test positive for mpox?
If your healthcare provider confirms you have mpox, follow their advice. Depending on the national recommendations, advice may include the following:
- Self-isolate if you can, and in particular you should avoid contact with pregnant women, young children, or immunocompromised individuals. You are contagious until the last scab has fallen off.
- Take a break from sex.
- Communicate the list of events you have attended in the last 21 days to the health authorities so they can alert other community members who may have been infected.
- Share the details of close and sexual contacts with health authorities or get in touch with them directly so they can be informed and can protect themselves and others.
- Because of current uncertainties about the ways of transmission, as a precaution wear a condom for 12 weeks even after you have fully recovered.
How is mpox being treated?
Mpox usually heals on its own and the treatment is used according to the symptoms. If necessary, pain and inflammation caused by blisters can be treated with various analgesics or anesthetic ointments and gels.
Mpox can also be treated with a drug called Tecovirimat (TPOXX). However, the medicine is not available in Finland and its availability is currently poor even globally.
Mpox vaccinations in Finland
At the end of August 2022, approximately 1400 vaccines used for the prevention of mpox arrived in Finland through a joint procurement by the EU.
The vaccine is called Jynneos, and it’s used to prevent mpox in both the US and the EU. The vaccine provides protection against diseases caused by orthopox viruses, such as smallpox and mpox.
Mpox vaccinations are offered to people at high risk of being infected with mpox and for those who are exposed to mpox. Read more about vaccinations here.
![Poster with information about monkeypox](https://hivpoint.fi/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/apinarokko-juliste-A3-eng-724x1024.jpg)
WHO’s public health advice about mpox
![Advice for gay men on recent outbreak on monkeypox](https://hivpoint.fi/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/picture_WHO_advice.png)