After the occurrence of the first cases of monkeypox in Germany, specialists do not see a new pandemic looming.

"The danger situation is low because the virus is only passed on through close physical contact, i.e. through body fluids or crusts, and not through droplet infection such as sneezing, coughing or speaking," said Tobias Tenenbaum, Chairman of the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, the "Neue Osnabrücker Newspaper".

The corona-related vigilance will lead to the rapid identification of contact persons of infected people.

There is “probably no new epidemic coming our way”.

The President of the Professional Association of Pediatricians (BVKJ), Thomas Fischbach, told the newspaper that the monkeypox virus is "far less contagious than Corona" and is almost only transmitted through "close physical contact and bodily fluids".

Children who, at least according to data from Africa, have a higher mortality rate are not among those with an increased risk of infection.

Infectiologist Tenenbaum also does not expect any major spread among children and adolescents: "It is extremely unlikely that children will contract monkeypox in Europe given the current situation." There are also no known cases "in which monkeypox has spread within families in Europe to have".

Therefore, parents "didn't have to worry at the moment."

Lauterbach wants to talk about the topic

This Tuesday afternoon, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) wants to comment on the course of action after the first cases of monkeypox in Germany on the sidelines of the German Doctors' Day in Bremen.

Doctor President Klaus Reinhardt and President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lothar Wieler, will also attend the press conference.

The opposition Union parliamentary group called on Lauterbach to launch an education campaign.

"Minister Lauterbach must inform the population about the risks of monkeypox through a detailed communication offensive in order to prevent unnecessary scaremongering," said health politician Stephan Pilsinger (CSU) to the editorial network Germany.

The German Hospital Society (DKG) warned to be vigilant.

“Corona has taught us to take a very close look at developments around the world.

Because in a globalized world, not only goods spread quickly, but also diseases," said Gerald Gaß, head of the association, to the RND.

"But according to the current state of knowledge, we do not have to fear a monkeypox pandemic."

A case of monkeypox was detected in Great Britain in early May.

According to experts, the pathogen was already circulating in many countries.

The first case in Germany was reported from Bavaria, and there have now also been reports from other federal states such as Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Baden-Württemberg.

USA want to vaccinate specifically

The US is preparing to vaccinate close contacts of infected people against monkeypox.

"Right now, we're hoping to get the vaccine distributed as widely as possible to those we know would benefit," said Jennifer McQuiston of the CDC on Monday.

In addition to contact persons, these are also health care workers and “those who are at high risk of serious illness”.

According to CDC epidemiologist John Brooks, people who have a weakened immune system or who have certain skin conditions, such as eczema, are at greater risk.

So far there has been one confirmed infection and several suspected cases in the USA.

There is no specific treatment for monkeypox.

However, the normal smallpox vaccination is 85 percent preventive.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health in Berlin, the extent to which smallpox vaccination should be recommended for contact persons and risk groups is currently being clarified internationally at the specialist level.

The virus usually causes only mild symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and a rash that often starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body.

However, monkeypox can also have severe courses, and fatal illnesses are possible in individual cases.

The consequences of surviving an infection can be scarring and, rarely, blindness. 

According to health authorities, the risk to the general public from monkeypox is extremely low.