Monkeypox detected: patient is in the Munich clinic – chief physician's statement on the state of health

Created: 05/21/2022, 07:12

By: Lukas Schierlinger

A patient is treated after a monkeypox infection in the Schwabing Clinic (symbolic image).

© Imago Images

A patient is currently being treated in Munich who has officially been diagnosed with a monkeypox infection.

The chief physician takes a position.

Munich - The first case of monkeypox in Germany was officially reported on Friday (May 20).

In the infectiology department of the Munich Clinic Schwabing, the patient in question is currently being treated in isolation in a lock room. 

Monkeypox found in Munich: patient is treated in the hospital

"After the man noticed the first symptoms, he immediately underwent a medical examination," says a press release from the hospital.

A PCR test carried out afterwards by the Bundeswehr confirmed the infection.

An ongoing sequencing should now reveal whether it is the West or Central African virus strain.

"The man has minor symptoms with slight dysphagia and an elevated temperature," the message said.

He currently does not need any special medication.

The subspecies of the smallpox virus was first detected in monkeys in 1958 in a Danish laboratory.

The virus can also be transmitted to humans.

Monkeypox infections in humans have so far been known primarily from regions in West and Central Africa.

The virus was first detected outside of the continent in 2003.

Cases have been reported in Europe and North America over the past few days.

All information on symptoms, transmission and RKI assessment of monkeypox infection can be found in our overview text.

In adults, an infection is usually relatively mild, but can also have severe courses.

It can be dangerous, especially for a group.

Monkeypox patient is in the Schwabing Clinic: "Very responsible"

The man entered Germany from Portugal via Spain and has been in the state capital for about a week.

He is a 26-year-old Brazilian.

According to the clinic, he is said to have stayed in Düsseldorf and Frankfurt beforehand.

Clemens Wendtner, chief physician at Schwabing's infectiology department, explains: "The young man is doing well - he went to medical care in a very responsible manner immediately after the onset of symptoms in order to protect others from infection.

That's why he's still staying with us, because we assume he'll be infectious for three to four weeks." Almost two and a half years ago, "Germany's first corona patient" was also isolated in the Schwabing Clinic.

Bavaria's Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) has already commented on the monkeypox case: "The health department of the city of Munich is currently identifying other close contacts." These are to be explained in detail about possible symptoms, hygiene measures and transmission routes.