Government confirms smallpox risk in Catalonia is 'low', says situation 'under control'

The State Government confirms that the risk of smallpox in Catalonia is “low” and indicates that the epidemiological situation is “under control”. The Executive has analysed a report from the Ministry of Health which confirms, through the Catalan Public Health Agency, that the possibility of smallpox transmission is “very low” in Catalonia. During 2024, a total of 48 cases have been confirmed – the last one reported was from 14 to 20 July – that is, half of the cases recorded in 2023. Cases therefore continue to be detected “on time” in Catalonia, but less than in 2024. previous years and “without a different clinical impact”. In the context of this alert, and in the current situation, the risk to the general population of Catalonia is considered “low”.

In any case, the risk of imported cases is “low”. In this sense, the government points out that the smallpox situation on the African continent is very different from the situation here, and believes that the risk of imported cases is “low” because there are no direct flights from the most affected countries. Although it acknowledges that imported cases can be detected, the measures already put in place and implemented after the international outbreak in 2022 should limit transmission in the region.

Approximately 25,000 doses as of 2022

At the same time, Catalonia is participating in the various meetings on the smallpox virus in the Alert Report and the Public Health Committee of the Ministry of Health, together with representatives of all the autonomous communities, in order to review the measures to be taken to deal with this new alert.

Since the start of vaccination in 2022, more than 24,800 doses have been administered in Catalonia and the vaccine is currently available to people included in the recommendations.

Men between the ages of 20 and 50 are mainly affected.

The main group to be vaccinated is all those who have risky sexual relationships. Regarding the profile of those affected, the vast majority are men, born in Spain and aged between 20 and 50. The clinical presentation has not changed compared to previous years and the morbidity and mortality rates associated with it remain very low.