Germany with measures toward Monkey Line, soon even the recommendation for isolation

Following the appearance of the first cases of monkey pox in Germany, German Health Minister Carl Lauterbach said other measures are being prepared.

Following the appearance of the first cases of monkey oak in Germany, German Health Minister Carl Lauterbach said Germany is preparing measures of control. Currently, recommendations for isolation and quarantine are under way in co-operation with the Robert Koch Institute, Lauterbach said under the World Health Assembly in Geneva.

He thinks the measures will be introduced soon. In addition, the possibility of giving inoculation recommendations for people with particular risks is being considered. However, it is not about vaccinating the population in general, the SPD politician stressed. He said he supports decisive actions. The global epidemic is so unusual that now we must react quickly and vigorously.

Lauterbach pointed out that according to the knowledge so far, males who have had sexual contact with other males are infected mainly. Now it's about sincerely approaching groups at risk. This should not be misinterpreted as stigma.

Virologists: There is no pandemic to fear

Virologist Schmidt-Chanas sees no danger of widespread monkey oak. Schmidt-Chanas told German radio station Deutschlandfunk that it should not be feared to get into a pandemic. Monkey line is very difficult to transmit, as infections occur through mucosa contact. So the scientist expects the outbreak of the disease to be contained. However, the virus must be studied well to better understand transmission routes, Schmidt-Chanas stressed. The benefit of vaccine with existing vaccines is currently being discussed especially for people at risk and people in contact.

The virus infection, normally from West and Central Africa, has been discovered in various countries, including Germany. / DW