Cases of monkeypox, which actually occurs rarely, are being detected in more and more countries. In Saxony-Anhalt, a man from Jerichower Land has been shown to be infected.
Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - A first case of monkeypox has been detected in Saxony-Anhalt. A man from Jerichower Land was affected, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced on Monday in Magdeburg. After a trip, the man complained about complaints that the infection had been detected by a PCR test. The responsible health authority ordered domestic isolation and reported the case to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
The monkeypox virus usually causes only very 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 consequences of surviving an infection can be scarring and, rarely, blindness.
The pathogen is transmitted in particular through very close physical contact. A risk to the health of the general population in Germany is currently assessed as low, the ministry said.
In the course of the increased attention to the disease, cases of monkeypox, which actually occurs rarely, are being detected in more and more countries. The first case in Germany was reported from Bavaria, and there have now also been reports from Berlin and Baden-Württemberg. Samples from numerous other people are being analyzed, and authorities are also looking for contact persons who have been proven to be infected.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has announced that containment measures are being prepared in Germany. Recommendations on isolation and quarantine are currently being developed, the minister said on Monday on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. He assumes that they could already be presented this Tuesday. Vaccination recommendations for people who are particularly at risk are also being considered.
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