Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach calls for decisive action to be taken against the spread of monkeypox. “The worldwide outbreak of monkeypox infections is so unusual that we have to worry if it will play out like previous monkeypox outbreaks,” said Lauterbach in Geneva.
Lauterbach’s ministry expects a further increase in cases in the coming days. “Due to the many contacts of those currently infected, further illnesses are to be expected in Europe and also in Germany,” says a report for the health committee of the Bundestag. As of Monday afternoon, there are now five confirmed cases of infection and illness in Germany – three of them in Berlin, one in Munich and one in Baden-Württemberg. Samples from other people are being clarified. Contact persons would be identified.
The virus usually causes only mild symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain and skin rash. However, monkeypox can also have severe courses, in individual cases fatal diseases are possible. The pathogen is mainly transmitted via direct contact or contact with contaminated materials. Monkeypox occurs mainly in west and central Africa and very rarely elsewhere, making the current outbreaks unusual.
The Berlin Senator for Health Ulrike Gote (Greens) emphasizes that there is no reason to panic, but to be careful, since many scientific findings about the disease are still preliminary. According to experts, however, it can be assumed that there is no fear of a new pandemic. The health administration is in close contact with the health authorities, the Robert Koch Institute, the Charité and the Federal Ministry of Health in order to protect the Berlin population from the monkeypox virus as best as possible.
The report by the Federal Ministry of Health speaks of an “event with international spread”. In numerous countries, more than 130 confirmed cases and suspected cases have been detected, “and the trend is increasing every day”. So far, the West African monkeypox variant has been detected in the infections found in Europe, but further genome analyzes are still ongoing. In order to register possible diseases and prevent further spread, diagnosed cases of infection should be systematically recorded and isolated. These should be reported by doctors and laboratories in accordance with the Infection Protection Act.
The British health authority UKHSA recommends a three-week quarantine for close contacts of people infected with monkeypox. It is highly likely to be infected if you either live in the same household with a sick person, have had sexual intercourse with such a person or have changed their bed linen without protective clothing, according to a statement on Monday. This group should therefore receive a protective smallpox vaccination in addition to the recommendation for quarantine. In particular, contact with pregnant women, children under the age of twelve and people with suppressed immune systems should be avoided.
In Germany there are still no general recommendations for contact persons of monkeypox cases. Lauterbach announces this for Tuesday. You have to react quickly and hard now to contain a global outbreak, said the Minister of Health. In addition, preparations would be made for the possible procurement of vaccines. “Vaccination of the general population is not under discussion here,” said the SPD politician.
Rather, vaccination recommendations for people who are particularly at risk are being considered. At this point in time, we know that men who have had sex with other men are primarily infected. “I appeal to all those who have had anonymous sex with men, in particular, to be careful here, to pay attention to skin changes, to take fever seriously and, if there is any suspicion, to seek appropriate medical treatment very quickly,” said Lauterbach. You have to address the risk groups honestly. This is to protect these groups and should not be misunderstood as stigmatization.