Those who were in proximity to the child were determined to be not at risk of developing severe forms of the virus. Photo: Shutterstock.

Those who were in proximity to the child were determined to be not at risk of developing severe forms of the virus. Photo: Shutterstock.

The first case of monkeypox infection  recorded in a child in Luxembourg was confirmed the health ministry on Wednesday. The child is currently in a stable condition and isolating.

The health inspectorate visited the infected child’s day care centre and contact tracing has been carried out. The facility remains open after those who were in proximity to the child were determined not to be at risk of developing severe forms of the virus. A contact tracing procedure has been initiated and the authorities remain in contact with parents and school staff.

Until now, monkeypox infections in Luxembourg had been found among men at an average age of 39. “Although the virus has so far spread mainly within certain communities, the infection can affect anyone,” states the health ministry in a press release.

which would cover up to 700 people as each vaccination requires two shots except for immunocompromised people who should get a third. The jabs were ordered through the European Health Emergence Response Agence (Hera) following a coordinated response launched by the European Commission which has resulted in 160,000 doses ordered for all member states.

Monkeypox is most common in remote parts of central and west Africa and does not tend to spread easily between people. When it does, the illness is usually mild and most people recover within a few weeks. It spreads via sexual contact with an infected person or their bodily fluids including saliva, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says. Symptoms include rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and fatigue.