Community spread of mpox confirmed in Portugal: 66 Clade Ib cases reported in the last six weeks

According to the latest epidemiological assessment of the World Health Organization (WHO/OMS), community transmission of the variant of the mpox virus, known as Clade Ib, has been recorded in Portugal. The country reported 66 cases in this group in the last six weeks, making it among the countries reporting the highest numbers in Europe.

The definition of "community transmission" here is important: This statement does not mean that the source of all cases in the country is unknown or that there is an uncontrolled epidemic. In the WHO classification, it is sufficient for this classification that at least one case reported in the last six weeks is not linked to recent travel or a person coming from a country with community transmission.

Portugal is among the countries reporting the most cases in Europe

According to WHO data, community transmission for Clade Ib was reported in Portugal, as well as in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

In the epidemiological evaluation covering the period July 31-August 16, Portugal was the country reporting the highest number of recent cases in Europe with 66 cases. In the same comparison, Germany reported 24 cases, France 20, the United Kingdom 18 and Ireland 12.

WHO also states that Spain, France, Portugal and Germany are among the countries reporting the highest cumulative number of cases of this variant in Europe.

How is Mpox transmitted?

Mpox can basically be transmitted through close physical contact with an infected person. Skin Contact with lesions, close sexual contact and contaminated materials used by the infected person are among the ways of transmission.

WHO's assessment also indicates that some of the Clade Ib transmission in Europe occurs in sexual networks involving men who have sex with men and sex workers.

However, mpox is not a disease specific to a particular sexual orientation or group; Anyone can become infected if close enough contact occurs.

What symptoms should be paid attention to?

In Mpox infection, in addition to skin rash or lesions, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, weakness and swollen lymph nodes may occur.

When suspicious symptoms occur, it is especially important to avoid close physical and sexual contact and to seek evaluation from health services.

WHO's global rapid risk assessment dated August 2026 shows that international circulation of mpox and new outbreak clusters continue to be monitored.

Although the 66 cases announced in Portugal are therefore an important public health development that needs to be monitored, the available data does not mean that a situation has been declared that requires extraordinary measures for the general population in daily life.

Resources

World Health Organization — Mpox / Global epidemiological updates

https://www.who.int/health-topics/MPOX

RTP — September 15 2026

https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/portugal-registou-transmissao-comunitaria-de-monkeypox-e-66-casos-de-infecao-recentes_n1765417

Renascença / Lusa — 14 September 2026

https://rr.pt/noticia/pais/2026/09/14/mpox-portugal-registou-transmissao-comunitaria-e-66-casos-de-infecao-recentes/485446/