A dozen cases have been recorded in the country since the monkeypox outbreak. The first vaccinations have also been given - but not everyone is currently receiving them.
Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - There are comparatively few cases of monkeypox in Saxony-Anhalt. Up to and including Tuesday, twelve cases had become known, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Magdeburg on request. Measured against the population, that's not much. 3,186 cases from all 16 federal states have been transmitted to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin since the outbreak in May until last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, according to the spokesman, some of the first vaccinations against monkeypox were administered in the health authorities. At the moment, only people who have been able to come into contact with monkeypox pathogens were given the vaccine. This is due to the "currently still small amount of vaccine" that is currently available in the country, it said.
The number of vaccine doses already delivered is in the low three-digit range. In early autumn - possibly in September - the federal government should provide a larger number of vaccine doses.
According to the ministry, the twelve cases of monkeypox reported so far are distributed relatively evenly across the country; several became known in Magdeburg and in the Harz district, among other places. The fourth case was confirmed in Halle on Tuesday afternoon, according to the city's press office.
The first infection with the monkeypox pathogen was detected in Saxony-Anhalt at the beginning of June. Since then, it has mainly been men who have been infected, but two women are also among the twelve affected. According to the ministry, the age of the sick varies from 22 to 56 years.
The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) sees an increased risk of infection in men who have same-sex sexual contact with changing partners. A common symptom is a painful skin rash, for example in the anal and genital areas, on the trunk, arms and legs. Transmission occurs through bodily fluids and through close physical contact.
Droplet infection through sneezing, coughing or speaking is also possible - as is infection through contact with contaminated clothing, bed linen or towels. The incubation period is given as 5 to 21 days. Vaccination serves to protect against infection, but is also possible as early as possible after an infection.
According to the RKI, the number of cases detected has declined slightly since the beginning of August. However, it remains to be seen “whether the number of cases will continue to decline”. The risk for the general public is currently assessed as low by the RKI.
