In late 2024, a response team of experts advised offering a vaccination against mpox to men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people who have a high risk of getting mpox. The aim is to prevent infections and future outbreaks and minimise the burden of disease. This advisory opinion was adopted by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). This means that it is possible for these target groups to be vaccinated against mpox by the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) starting from 14 April 2025.
There are two websites in the Netherlands that offer information about mpox and sex and answers to frequently asked questions (in both Dutch and English): Soaaids.nl and Mantotman.nl.
Current information on mpox in the Netherlands and the situation in Africa
On 14 August 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an international public health emergency in response to the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding area. According to the WHO, tens of thousands of suspected and confirmed mpox infections and hundreds of deaths were reported in Africa that year. Some of these involved the new mpox variant 1b.
Since August 2024, patients with the new mpox variant 1b have been reported in various European countries. These include the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland and France. Most cases involved individuals returning from Africa.
Situation in the Netherlands: no reported infections involving new mpox variant
There are no reports of infections involving mpox variant 1b in the Netherlands so far. RIVM is monitoring this situation closely, in close collaboration with doctors, Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) and laboratories. Care providers are alert to people with symptoms. This will make it possible to identify infections quickly.
If a person has mpox, they must start self-isolating. This ensures that they avoid contact with others and cannot spread the virus. The GGD will start source and contact tracing.
It is currently very unlikely that the new mpox variant is spreading in the Netherlands. Close contacts of a person who has mpox can be vaccinated. The Netherlands has a sufficient supply of vaccines in stock. An antiviral drug is also available to treat possible complications.
If you think that you have mpox, contact your GP or the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs).
Two main groups of mpox
The mpox virus can be categorised into two main groups: Clade 1 and Clade 2. In 2022, there was an mpox outbreak involving a virus variant from Clade 2. In 2024, there are multiple outbreaks of mpox in West and Central Africa caused by Clade 1 mpox viruses, including outbreaks involving a new virus variant from Clade 1: mpox 1b. It emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in September 2023. People have also become ill in neighbouring countries, such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Spread through close, intensive contact
The outbreaks of mpox in Africa involving the new variant seem to be mainly caused by close, intensive skin-to-skin contact between humans. The 2022 outbreak in Europe and North America occurred mainly among men who have sex with men (MSM contact). The outbreak in Central Africa affects more layers of the population. Much is still unclear about this new mpox 1b variant, including how infectious it is.
Mpox infections in the Netherlands
The figure below shows the number of people with mpox reported in the Netherlands from 27 April 2022 through 31 May 2025.