Despite the increasing numbers and the state of emergency, we should not immediately worry. No cases have been detected in Belgium so far, and even if they were, there is no need to panic. “The new variant may be more infectious, but it is not a Covid scenario. The virus is not that infectious,” said Laurens Lissenborghs of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITG).
The mortality rate in Congo may be 3 percent, but in Belgium we can boast better healthcare. The severity of the virus also depends on the resistance of the patient.
Of course, everything is being closely monitored in the meantime, according to the ITM and the Flemish Ministry of Health. The declaration of a state of emergency has also put countries around the world on alert for the problem, quickly sharing data and thus better containing the virus.
Moreover, we in Belgium are still relatively well protected against the virus, thanks to the vaccination campaign in 2022. At that time, gay men who had changed partners were the main victims. “A targeted vaccination campaign was then carried out, and we estimate that half of those at risk were vaccinated,” says Lissenborghs. The vaccine at that time is still good against the new strain.
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