1st case in Austria – monkey pox: what you need to know about the virus

Originally, the disease only occurs in Africa. However, so far, cases have also been reported in 11 European countries. Monika Redlberger-Fritz is a virologist at MedUni Vienna and spoke in the “Morgenjournal” of Ö1 on Monday about possible risks and the course of the disease.

Redlberger-Fritz thinks it’s unusual for monkeypox to be transmitted to humans now, as the virus is mostly native to rodents such as mice and is extremely rare. Direct infection is only possible with very close contact. How the contamination between animals and humans could have arisen is still unclear at the moment and insufficiently observed in this form.

Two phases in the monkeypox virus
In the first stage, non-specific symptoms such as fever, headache and back pain appear. These can take two to four days for the second stage to occur.

This is followed by the so-called rash phase, in which spots first appear, which later become bumps and pustules and may crust over time. Duration: two to four weeks. However, the viral disease heals on its own. According to Redlberger-Fritz, those affected are contagious all the time. The disease can be transmitted more quickly, especially through intimate contact, such as sexual intercourse.

Severe slopes are rare
Serious cures are rare and have so far only occurred in Africa, where medical care is much poorer than in Europe. There is currently no vaccination against monkeypox. However, people who have received a smallpox vaccine in the past are better protected.

Not comparable to coronavirus
According to experts, there is still no clear explanation for the cases that have occurred in Europe. We are still waiting for contact tracing to better investigate the origin. However, that does not mean that you should constantly expect new viruses comparable to the corona pandemic in the future.