The first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Saxony-Anhalt. A man from the district of Jerichower Land, who is currently in home isolation, has fallen ill, the Ministry of Social Affairs said on Monday. The man complained of the ailment after returning from a trip.
In most cases, the disease has a mild course
The case of monkeypox was confirmed in the laboratory by PCR method. The responsible health authority ordered isolation and reported the case of the disease to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin.
Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic infectious disease caused by monkeypox virus. The incubation period (i.e. the time between infection and the appearance of the first symptoms) is between 7 and 21 days. Infection can occur especially through very close physical contact with a sick person. In most cases the disease has a benign course. The health risk for the population in Germany is currently estimated to be low.
More cases of monkeypox in Bavaria, Berlin and Baden-Württemberg
More cases of monkeypox, which is actually a rare infectious disease, are being detected in more and more countries. The first case of the disease in Germany was reported in Bavaria, and meanwhile there have also been reports of infections in Berlin and Baden-Württemberg. Samples from more people are currently being tested, and health authorities are also trying to reach out to people who have had contact with those infected.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) announced that measures are being prepared in Germany to prevent the spread of the disease. Isolation and quarantine recommendations are currently being developed, the minister said Monday on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. He assumes that these could be presented as early as Tuesday. In addition, recommendations on vaccination for vulnerable people are being considered.
Source: www.volksstimme.de