An increasing number of monkeypox cases are being reported in Germany. On Tuesday, the Robert Koch Institute reported that 80 cases of the disease have been reported so far. While the data comes from nine federal states, by far the largest number of infections have been found in Berlin. Since last Friday, the number of cases reported by the Robert Koch Institute has increased by 15.
As far as is known, the course of the disease in most of those affected is not severe. According to information released Sunday by the World Health Organization (WHO), several hundred cases of infection have been detected so far in about 30 countries where the virus is not endemic.
Berlin: eleven patients in hospital
As for Germany, most infections with the virus have been confirmed in Berlin. As of last Friday, 48 cases of the disease have been reported so far in the German capital. Eleven affected people have been hospitalized.
Already after the first cases of infection were detected in Germany, a report by the Federal Ministry of Health said that also in Berlin, events where “sexual acts take place” are considered places where people are exposed to the virus. Such events have also been held in the Canary Islands, for example.
Monkeypox at sex parties?
“Since infection probably occurs during direct contact with an infected person, through the mucous membranes, close physical/sexual contact with strangers should be avoided if possible,” – advises the Berlin health authority. In addition, safer sex rules, such as the use of condoms, should be followed.
Monkeypox is considered a less dangerous disease compared to smallpox, which was declared eradicated in 1980. Infection usually occurs through close and prolonged contact with a sick person. For the time being, the WHO continues to assess the overall global public health threat from monkeypox cases outside endemic areas in West and Central Africa as moderate. Symptoms, such as fever and rash, among others, usually resolve on their own within a few weeks, but in some people can lead to complications and, in very rare cases, death.
Source: www.t-online.de