The monkeypox virus has been unequivocally proven for the first time in a patient in Germany. The Bundeswehr Institute for Microbiology has found the virus, according to the Bundeswehr Medical Service. The patient had the skin changes characteristic of the infection. There have been outbreaks of monkeypox in several European countries since early May, as well as Australia and the US – so far there have been no cases in Austria.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently called for rigorous follow-up of all contacts of those affected – a large proportion, if not all, of the cases so far have affected men. So far, most of the evidence of monkeypox infections has been in Britain – there are now 20 known. In addition to the nine already known, 11 other cases have been identified, British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Friday.
Britain buys smallpox vaccine
As a result, according to a BBC report, the British government has bought a smallpox vaccine. It should provide some protection against the disease. A spokeswoman for the UK health authority said the vaccine should be offered to people at higher risk of infection. The risk to the general population remains very low, it said.
“Most cases are mild and I can confirm that we have received additional doses of vaccines that are effective against monkey pox,” said Health Minister Javid. Even if the vaccine isn’t specifically targeted for the monkeypox virus, it should be able to protect against more serious diseases. According to the BBC, routine vaccination against smallpox in Britain was phased out in the 1970s, when the disease was declared eradicated in the country.
Vaccination advice so far only for risk groups
According to the WHO, vaccination advice only applies to certain risk groups such as laboratory personnel and certain first responders. However, this will be checked in the near future. A new vaccine against smallpox and monkeypox has also been approved, but is not yet widely available outside of national reserves.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
