The first case of monkey pox was found in Germany. The number of cases of the disease has been increasing in Europe for several days. Monkey pox occurs mainly in West and Central Africa, the appearance of the virus on our continent is explained by the loosening of covid restrictions and the resulting more and more frequent trips between Africa and Europe.
The monkey pox has reached Germany
The first case of African monkey pox has been confirmed in Germany. As reported on Friday in Munich by the Bundeswehr Microbiology Institute, on Thursday a virus was detected in one of the patients beyond reasonable doubt. Characteristic skin changes occurred in the patient – informs the dpa agency.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said the discovery of monkey pox in Germany was “a matter of time”. He also expressed his belief that the epidemic could be stopped if action was taken quickly.
Monkey pox is a zoonotic disease that usually occurs in West and Central Africa, caused by a rare, but milder, virus similar to the smallpox virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, and a skin rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The virus does not spread easily between people, and infection most often occurs through close contact with a sick person, their body fluids, including saliva.
After curing the disease, proper skin care is necessary, e.g. with the use of Mediskin Medisil Cream, which regenerates irritations.
Monkey pox in Europe
More and more European countries report cases or suspicions of suffering from a disease that has been rare among humans. Most cases – more than 20 – have been detected so far in Spain.
Great Britain is second in this respect. On Friday, 11 more cases of monkey pox were found there. – This means that their total number is already 20 – said Minister of Health of the country Sajid Javid on Friday. Most of these cases are mild, he added.
The cases were also diagnosed in Portugal, France, Belgium, Sweden and Italy. Germany joined this list on Friday. Polish medical services have not informed about the appearance of the virus so far.
The virus also made its way to the United States, Canada and Australia.
How did the virus get to Europe?
Monkey pox is a disease that mainly occurs in West and Central Africa. While the virus that causes it was first detected in laboratory monkeys, which is why it also owes its name, that does not mean that it is the most common in these animals. Today, rodents most often transmit the virus.
The infection with monkey pox most often occurs as a result of biting or direct contact with sick animals, their blood or body fluids. Infection between humans was rare.
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The virus has hit Europe, but why is it now? The answer is probably the loosened covid restrictions, which allow tourists to travel intercontinental, e.g. to Africa.
– My working theory is that there is a lot of virus in West and Central Africa. The journeys have resumed and that is why we are seeing more cases of infections, said Prof. Jimmy Whitworth of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, quoted by the Reuters Agency.
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