DThe number of reported cases of monkeypox has continued to increase since last weekend and is likely to increase. 67 people in nine EU countries are now known to have contracted the virus in Europe since May 15, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC, announced on Monday afternoon. Seven infected people have been confirmed in Switzerland, Australia, Israel, Canada and the USA and more than twenty people are strongly suspected of also being infected. Since the incubation period is between one and three weeks, new cases can be expected in the coming days, although they are not highly contagious pathogens.
A report on the ECDC’s “Rapid Risk Assessment” recommends, among other things, contact persons to observe themselves for 21 days to see whether they notice any symptoms. The EU member states are required to have the necessary means for diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis (vaccines) ready. One is concerned and is monitoring the situation closely, it said, because it is evolving. So far, six cases have been confirmed in Germany, and the treating physicians are obliged to report this disease, as the Robert Koch Institute points out on its information page on the subject.
What if the cat gets infected?
Infections are usually mild. And according to the ECDC, most of those currently affected only have mild symptoms. For the general population, there is little risk of infection, said medical doctor and ECDC director Andrea Ammon. However, if there is close contact, for example in the form of sexual activities between people with multiple sex partners, a high risk of transmission must be assumed. The viruses can penetrate the body via the mucous membranes or fine skin lesions, which can happen when the typical rashes are intensively kissed or rubbed and which probably started this outbreak in Europe. Scab and body fluids pose a risk of infection, and droplet infection is also possible.
Saturdays at 9:00 a.m
SIGN IN
Fever, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes are among the first symptoms. This is followed by rashes, which often start on the face and can spread over the entire body. In some of those currently affected, these blister-like skin changes first appeared in the genital region. Until these rashes have healed, it is recommended to avoid contact with other people, especially pregnant women, the immunocompromised and children, for whom the virus can be life-threatening. But infected people should also stay away from pets: if the pathogens spread from humans to dogs, cats or mice, monkeypox could possibly become endemic in Europe. The ECDC warns of this and therefore advises all countries to intensify the search for contact persons and to involve not only the health authorities but also the veterinary offices: in order to prevent the pathogens from being transmitted to wild animals.
Monkeypox viruses (Monkeypox virus, Genus Orthopoxvirus) are widespread among rodents in West and Central Africa, monkeys are considered to be so-called false hosts. In the spring of 2003, monkeypox was detected for the first time outside of the African continent: the viruses had been unexpectedly imported into the USA with rodents from Ghana, and animal dealers and owners were then infected via prairie dogs. Contact with infected animals or their excrement was previously considered the most common route of transmission, but the current outbreak now draws attention to another, unusual risk.