Drosten warns of monkeypox – WHO expert finds development "worrying"

Fever, itching, and breathing problems are among the symptoms of monkeypox. In the future, the virus could cause even more severe courses, experts fear.

Munich – One year after the outbreak began, monkeypox is hardly an issue in Germany anymore. Despite the decline in the number of cases, however, the pathogen is still one of the three most dangerous groups of viruses from the animal world. The Berlin virologist Christian Drosten and the World Health Organization (WHO) warn against underestimating the virus – a new outbreak must be expected at any time.

• Symptoms of monkeypox infection
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle
• Rash
• Respiratory problems
• Eye inflammation
• Encephalitis

Drosten and WHO warn of monkeypox: virus can adapt to humans

The symptoms of the monkeypox virus, which has since been renamed Mpox by the WHO, are similar to those of smallpox and can range from mild to severe. These include fever, headache, muscle aches, and itchy rashes. They usually occur within five to 21 days after infection. In severe cases, breathing problems, eye inflammation and brain inflammation can also occur. In the future, the symptoms of the virus could get even worse.

"We know from history that other smallpox virus infections began with mild courses and then intensified in adaptation to humans," Drosten told the Funke media group. "You have to fear the same with the monkeypox virus." The fact that the infection situation in Germany is currently calm is mainly due to "the fact that a great awareness of the risk has arisen in the community in which most cases occurred, i.e. among men who have sex with other men," Drosten continues.

Background

In the past, some outbreaks of monkeypox have been linked to sexual contact between men – however, there is no clear answer as to why gay men are at higher risk for monkeypox than other people in some cases. It is possible that the infection is transmitted through direct contact during sexual activity.

Monkeypox in Germany: Drosten and WHO fear infections in susceptible groups

In 2022, the virus, previously known mainly in African countries, spread worldwide. Since then, more than 111,87 mpox cases have been reported to WHO from 000 countries (as of 3 May), including 130 deaths. To this day, a health emergency, a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC) applies. This is the highest alarm that the WHO can impose. Germany was among the ten countries with the highest number of case reports. Since the first monkeypox case in May 2022, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has recorded almost 3,700 infections – there have been no deaths in Germany so far. No new case has been recorded since the end of January 2023.

German virologist and epidemiologist Christian Drosten believes that a change in the monkeypox virus in Germany is possible. © Kay Nietfeld/dpa

It is nevertheless "worrying that it has stepped out of its ecological niche in Central and West Africa," as the director of the WHO Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, Sylvie Briand, pointed out in Geneva. "The virus could change, become more contagious or infect a vulnerable population group that has been spared so far," such as pregnant women or young children. "In these groups, the disease could take a much more severe course."

Drosten and WHO warn of monkeypox: Infection numbers could rise again in spring

WHO monkeypox expert Rosamund Lewis also warns of a new variant of the virus. "We could have a virus variant in three years that is much less containable – that's a real risk," Lewis said. The virus must therefore be constantly monitored. According to the RKI, the number of cases could rise again in the spring if more events with many participants take place. So far, there are three vaccines for monkeypox that can significantly reduce the risk of infection. (tt/dpa)