Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39988429›Full record

Observational studySexually transmitted infections2025

Public health and clinical response to an mpox outbreak in Slovenia: case study, 2022-2023.

Danilo Češljarac, Kristina Brečko, Martin Štrumbelj, Sabrina Likar, Barbara Kokošar Ulčar, Mateja Zalaznik, Nataša Kejžar, Katarina Resman Rus, Miša Korva, Tatjana Avšič Županc and 7 more

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Sexually transmitted infections, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Danilo ČešljaracFaculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Kristina BrečkoFaculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Martin ŠtrumbeljFaculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Sabrina LikarFaculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Barbara Kokošar UlčarClinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia barbara.kokosar@kclj.si.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-7479-1906
Mateja ZalaznikClinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Nataša KejžarInstitute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Katarina Resman RusInstitute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Miša KorvaInstitute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Tatjana Avšič ŽupancInstitute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Eva GrilcNational Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana Regional Unit, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Andreja Murnik RauhDepartment of Dermatovenerology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Maja MastnakDepartment of Dermatovenerology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Anja BecnerDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
Maruška MarovtDepartment of Dermatovenerology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
Mitja LenartDepartment of Infectious Diseases, General Hospital Celje, Celje, Slovenia.
Mojca MatičičFaculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe emergence of mpox outbreaks in non-endemic areas, characterised by human-to-human transmission and unique clinical presentations, poses challenges in containment efforts. This study aimed to analyse the 2022 outbreak in Slovenia and characterise the country's response to the outbreak.

methodsA retrospective, observational study analysed all confirmed mpox cases in Slovenia between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2023 and specific public health measures and responses in the country to contain the mpox outbreak. Data were collected from clinical facilities, public health institutions and civil society organisations and analysed accordingly.

resultsOf 149 suspected cases tested, 49 were confirmed, all cisgender men, predominantly men who have sex with men (93%), exhibiting skin lesions, with 20% being HIV infected and 62% reporting recently having sex abroad. Hospitalisation was required in 14%, no specific treatment was needed, and no fatalities occurred. After the rapid spread of mpox from May to mid-July 2022, only occasional cases were detected afterwards until the outbreak's termination in early September. Slovenia's containment strategy started immediately after the first case detection, involving rapid diagnostics and active case search, centralised case management and targeted public health measures. The LGBTIQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer and other sexual identities) community civil society organisation Legebitra played a critical role by launching awareness campaigns and promoting easily accessible vaccination. Despite its late start in September 2022, by the end of 2023, the vaccination campaign achieved coverage of 309 individuals.

conclusionsSlovenia's response to the 2022 mpox outbreak highlights prompt multisectoral collaboration, community engagement and timely public health interventions. Rapid diagnostics, centralised case management and targeted outreach likely contributed to containment. While vaccination had limited impact during the outbreak, its importance for long-term prevention cannot be overstated. As the global threat of mpox persists, continuous surveillance, cross-border cooperation and proactive vaccination strategies are recommended activities to address future challenges.

Indexed as

Disease OutbreaksMpox, MonkeypoxPublic HealthAdolescentAdultFemaleHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesSloveniaYoung AdultDisease Transmission, InfectiousGenital Diseases, MaleINFECTION CONTROLPUBLIC HEALTHVACCINATION

Identifiers

PMID39988429
PMCPMC12421108

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.