Cases of monkeypox in humans were reported from the United Kingdom in the begining of June 2022. According to initial estimates, these were due to a traveler returning from Nigeria who is believed to have contracted the zoonotic virus in the African country.
Monkeypox virus is endemic in West and Central Africa. Infection can occur through contact with infected animals. It is not yet clear which animal species is the reservoir for the disease. It is suspected that it is various species of squirrels (genus Funisciurus and Heliosciurus) and rodents (rats). Monkeys, like humans, are accidental hosts of the disease. In addition to zoonotic transmission routes, human-to-human transmission is also possible. However, this requires very close contact.
In the meantime, cases have also been reported in Spain, Portugal, the USA and Canada. In most cases, monkeypox virus infection takes a mild course in humans. However, due to the numerous non-travel-associated infections, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) also called on the medical community to exercise increased vigilance as a precautionary measure (see Epi. Bulletin).
Further information (German and English):
Affenpocken-Impfempfehlung der Ständigen Impfkommission (STIKO) (09.06.2022)
Informationen des Friedrich-Loeffler-Instituts
Informationen zu Affenpocken vom RKI
Media
13.06.22
Prof. Dr. Fabian Leendertz im Gespräch mit der DFG zu der Frage wie zukünftige Pandemien verhindert werden können:
https://bit.ly/3xxlf1S
04.06.2022
Mit Informationen durch u.a. Prof. Dr. Stephan Ludwig fragt die Zeit, ob die Affenpocken in Europa endemisch werden könnten:
https://bit.ly/3zlceeN
01.06.2022
Prof. Dr. Fabian Leendertz im Gespräch der Sendung Maischberger (ZDF) zu Auffenpocken und Zoonosen
24.05.2022
Interview des Universitätsklinikums Münster mit Prof. Dr. Stephan Ludwig
Interview des Fachmediums Management & Krankenhaus mit Prof.Dr. Stephan Ludwig
10.05.2022
Einschätzung zum Thema von Prof. Dr. Martin Beer im Deutschlandfunk
