La Conselleria de Salud de las Illes Balears will intensify surveillance to detect the possible arrival of the African variant of monkeypox (Clade I) in the region. Although the Microbiology laboratory at Son Espases is equipped to sequence positive samples, it will also send them to the National Microbiology Centre in Madrid for further confirmation.

This enhanced surveillance will apply to all positive samples detected from now on and will also be carried out retrospectively on some samples since the onset of the disease’s spread in 2022. The aim is to determine whether the African variant was already present before the WHO issued the health alert.

Monkeypox in the Balearic Islands

So far this year, the Balearic Islands have recorded 11 cases of monkeypox, ten in Mallorca and one in Eivissa. The last reported case was in early March. As part of the new measures, Public Health will vaccinate close contacts of infected individuals with two doses instead of one, as was done in 2022. Additionally, there will be an active recall for those who received only one dose last year to complete the vaccination course.

Vaccination recommendations for at-risk groups

Vaccination against monkeypox is recommended for at-risk groups planning to travel to African countries with a high number of cases. This includes aid workers, healthcare personnel, military personnel deployed in the area, and people who will be undertaking safaris or having contact with local wildlife.

In the recent Public Health Commission meeting, it was decided to maintain the current recommendations for the vaccination of individuals engaging in high-risk sexual practices and healthcare workers exposed to risky situations. Since the disease’s resurgence in 2022, 1,097 doses of the modified vaccine have been administered in the Balearic Islands.

The epidemiological situation in the Balearic Islands and Europe remains stable, similar to that of 2022. However, there is a need to focus efforts on the origin in Africa and improve preventive information for specific groups, including men who have sex with men and travellers to affected areas.