Belgium has become the first country to impose a strict 21-day quarantine for monkeypox patients as the disease, which is generally found in Africa, spreads around the world.

Belgium’s health authorities implemented the measures on Friday, after the country reported its third instance of the virus. The country had four local cases as of Monday; confirmed global illnesses presently number approximately 100.

Only patients with a confirmed infection are subject to Belgium’s mandatory procedures. Close contacts are not obliged to separate themselves, but they are recommended to stay watchful, especially if in contact with vulnerable people.

“Infected persons will have to go into contact isolation until the injuries have healed (they will receive concrete instructions about this from the treating doctor),” a version of the government announcement translated from Dutch said.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has advised those who are at high risk of contracting the sickness to isolate themselves for 21 days. This includes family members and medical professionals who may have had contact with an infected patient.

The recent increase in community cases, particularly in urban areas, is prompting fears of a larger outbreak.

“To have it appear now — more than 100 cases in 12 different countries with no obvious connection — means we have to figure out exactly what’s happening,” Seth Berkley, CEO of global vaccine alliance Gavi, told CNBC Monday.

“The truth is we don’t know what that is and therefore how severe it’s going to be. But it’s likely that we’re going to see more cases,” he said.

Despite the fact that most cases of monkeypox are minor and cure within two to four weeks, there is presently no confirmed vaccination. The smallpox vaccination has been shown to be 85 percent effective in preventing illness, and several governments have already started stockpiling doses.

Berkley warned that the current outbreak, which occurred while the previous coronavirus pandemic was “not ended yet,” was a wake-up call to authorities to devote more resources to infectious diseases. He was addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where political and corporate leaders are meeting this week to discuss critical global concerns such as pandemic preparedness.

“This is evolutionarily certain that we’re going to see more outbreaks,” he said. “That’s why pandemic preparedness is so important. Look at what it can do economically when you have a pandemic hit”

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