Monkeypox detected for the first time in a child in Germany

Created: 06/09/2022, 22:51

The Robert Koch Institute has confirmed that a child in Germany has now contracted monkeypox (symbol image).

© IMAGO/Christian Ohde

According to the RKI report, there is a monkeypox infection in a small child in Germany for the first time.

It was initially unclear how the girl got infected.

Berlin – When the first cases of monkeypox became known in Germany in May, some felt reminded of the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the number of cases is currently tending to go down.

However, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) confirmed in its status report on Tuesday that a small child had contracted monkeypox for the first time in Germany.

Monkeypox case numbers in Germany: Infection in children confirmed for the first time

On Tuesday, a total of 3,505 monkeypox cases from all 16 federal states were reported to the RKI.

The number of reported cases has therefore declined slightly since the beginning of August.

However, the RKI pointed out that the incidence of infection is developing differently locally and it is therefore not yet certain whether the decline in the number of cases will continue.

However, the RKI report attracted attention for other reasons.

Because for the first time in Germany a monkeypox infection was confirmed in a child.

"The case became known at the beginning of September and is currently still being clarified," said the RKI.

The Lower Saxony district of Verden had already reported on this on Friday.

According to RKI data, the child is female and no more than four years old.

The exact age was not given due to medical confidentiality.

Although there was already a suspicion of monkeypox in a child in Baden-Württemberg at the beginning of August, the finding was not confirmed at the time.

Child with monkeypox: Authorities assume transmission within the family

The course of the infection is apparently mild.

So far, only minor skin changes typical of the disease have occurred, but the child is doing well, it said in a statement.

It is still unclear how the child got infected.

The health department is currently researching the transmission routes.

However, the authorities are currently assuming transmission within the family or through the close circle of acquaintances, since the girl has not yet attended a kindergarten or other community facility.

The toddler is currently in quarantine with his family.

Monkeypox is transmitted through close physical contact.

Most cases so far have occurred in men who have sex with men.

In this context, Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) had already warned against stigmatizing gay men.

“The risk of contracting monkeypox is not limited to sexually active people or men who have sex with men.

Anyone who has close physical contact with an infectious person can become infected,” the Robert Koch Institute informs on its website.

So far, only 14 infections in women and three cases in male adolescents are known

.