Portugal registered 66 new cases of mpox within a six-week period, positioning the country as the third most affected in Europe, behind Spain and France. The report from the World Health Organization (WHO) was released in mid-September 2026.
The reported cases are linked to the Ib subvariant of the mpox virus, which may present more severe clinical manifestations. There is a seasonal trend of increasing infections during and after the summer. In total for 2026, Portugal has accumulated 282 confirmed cases, with 18 requiring hospital admission. The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) emphasizes the importance of prevention and timely medical attention.
Symptoms include fever, intense headaches, muscle and back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a skin rash that progresses through distinct stages. Transmission occurs through close physical contact, sexual contact, or contact with contaminated materials. If mpox is suspected, close contact with others should be avoided, and the SNS 24 health line should be contacted.
