Monkey pox: Three cases in Germany – First confirmed case in Israel

At least two cases smallpox of monkeys have been located in Berlin, announced today the health services of the German capital, a day after the first case was recorded in Germany, in Munich.

The Berlin Health Ministry said in a statement that more cases were likely to occur in the coming days. The patients are in stable condition and from the analysis of the genome it will be determined from which strain of the disease they have been infected.

Following the first case, Health Minister Carl Lauterbach said that he was aware that the virus was not as easily transmitted and that an outbreak could be contained if health authorities acted quickly.

First case in Israel as well

Israel has announced the first case of smallpox, a disease commonly found in West Africa.

He is a 30-year-old man who recently returned from a trip to Western Europe, a spokesman for Isilov Hospital in Tel Aviv said. According to the Ministry of Health, this man, who shows only slight symptoms, had come in contact with a patient abroad.

Cases have been reported so far in many western countries, such as France, Britain, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA.

The World Health Organization is expected to give new guidelines to countries in the coming days on how to reduce the spread of the disease, said David Hayman, head of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Risks with Possible Pandemic Stasis. IH).

Hayman said monkey pox did not look like the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic because it was not as easily transmitted. Those who suspect they may have been exposed to the virus or those who show symptoms such as rash and fever should avoid close contact with other people. “Vaccines are available but the most important message is that you can protect yourself,” he added.