COPENHAGEN, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Close contacts of monkeypox cases will be offered the smallpox vaccine, the Danish Health Authority (SST) said on Tuesday.
"The vaccine must be administered after exposure to the infectious person and this will reduce the likelihood of a severe course," Danish state broadcaster DR quoted Bolette Soborg, chief physician and unit manager at the SST, as saying.
The announcement comes after a second Danish citizen tested positive for the virus that causes monkeypox, which has been spreading across Europe.
Both of the infected had just returned from trips to Spain.
Monkeypox generally causes mild symptoms and patients usually require no hospital treatment, according to the SST.
Minister of Health Magnus Heunicke said on Monday that "The Danish health authorities do not anticipate a widespread outbreak of infection, but we are closely monitoring the situation in order to be as prepared as possible." ■