The incubation period for monkeypox cases confirmed in the Netherlands, May 2022

AbstractIn May 2022 outbreaks of monkeypox have been reported in countries where the monkeypox virus is not endemic. We estimate the incubation period for monkeypox, using the reported time of exposure and symptom onset for 18 confirmed cases detected in the Netherlands up to 31st May 2022. The mean incubation period was 8.5 days, ranging from 4.2 to 17.3 days (5th to 95th percentiles). These findings underpin 21 days for monitoring or quarantining of case contacts.