Overview of Mpox Outbreak in Greece in 2022–2023: Is It Over?

In May 2022, for the first time, multiple cases of mpox were reported in several non-endemic countries. The first ever case of the disease in Greece was confirmed on 8 June 2022, and a total of 88 cases were reported in the country until the end of April 2023. A multidisciplinary response team was e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Viruses
Main Authors: Kassiani Mellou, Kyriaki Tryfinopoulou, Styliani Pappa, Kassiani Gkolfinopoulou, Sofia Papanikou, Georgia Papadopoulou, Evangelia Vassou, Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki, Kalliopi Papadima, Elissavet Mouratidou, Maria Tsintziloni, Nikolaos Siafakas, Zoi Florou, Antigoni Katsoulidou, Spyros Sapounas, George Sourvinos, Spyridon Pournaras, Efthymia Petinaki, Maria Goula, Vassilios Paparizos, Anna Papa, Theoklis Zaoutis, Dimitrios Paraskevis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/6/1384
Description
Summary:In May 2022, for the first time, multiple cases of mpox were reported in several non-endemic countries. The first ever case of the disease in Greece was confirmed on 8 June 2022, and a total of 88 cases were reported in the country until the end of April 2023. A multidisciplinary response team was established by the Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY) to monitor and manage the situation. EODY’s emergency response focused on enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, medical countermeasures, and the education of health care providers and the public. Even though management of cases was considered successful and the risk from the disease was downgraded, sporadic cases continue to occur. Here, we provide epidemiological and laboratory features of the reported cases to depict the course of the disease notification rate. Our results suggest that measures for raising awareness as well as vaccination of high-risk groups of the population should be continued.
ISSN:1999-4915