Update 6 November 2025: New reported cases of mpox variant 1b related to sex club
On 20 October, RIVM posted an update on the first reported case of a patient with mpox variant 1b in the Netherlands. Health organisations in other European countries, such as Italy and Portugal, and the United States have also seen more people who have been diagnosed with this mpox variant.
Since that time, there have been 5 new reported cases of mpox variant 1b in the Netherlands. These new reported cases involve people without any recent travel history. The people stated that the most likely source of exposure was a sex club mainly visited by men who have sex with men (MSM). The people had visited that club on the same day in October. The people came to that location from various regions in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, men who have sex with men and transgender people who have a high risk of mpox can be vaccinated by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGD). The aim is to prevent infections and outbreaks and to minimise the burden of illness.
More information about this mpox vaccination is available online at soaaids.nl and mantotman.nl.
Update 30 October 2025: Vaccinations against mpox will also remain available in 2026
In the Netherlands men who have sex with men (MSM contact) and transgender people who have a high risk of getting mpox can be vaccinated against mpox by the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs).
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) has informed the House of Representatives in a letter (external link) that this vaccination offer will also remain available in 2026.
The aim of vaccination is to prevent infections and future outbreaks and minimise the burden of disease.
There are two websites in the Netherlands that offer information about vaccination against mpox: Soaaids.nl and Mantotman.nl.
Update 20 October 2025: First reported case of mpox variant 1b in the Netherlands
On 17 October 2025, an mpox infection involving the new mpox variant 1b was diagnosed in the Netherlands. It is the first time that this new mpox variant has been confirmed in the Netherlands.
The patient had not been vaccinated against mpox. He did not have any recent travel history, but had been active among men who have sex with men (MSM).
The patient is in isolation and the local Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) is conducting source and contact tracing. The risk of further transmission seems low.
Local spread of mpox variant 1b was also recently reported in Spain and in the USA. The situation is being monitored closely by the ECDC and WHO.
Read more on the Mpox page about the mpox virus, how it spreads, the symptoms, and what to do if you think you have been exposed to mpox.
Update 3 March 2025: Vaccinations against mpox available from April 14, 2025
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.
Update 16 September 2024: Current information about 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 30 November 2025.