Germany has reported its first case of the new mpox variant, according to the Robert Koch Institute for public health, which also stated that the risk to the wider population is considered low.
The infected individual is a 33-year-old man who was admitted to a hospital for treatment on October 12 and subsequently isolated, the health ministry in North Rhine-Westphalia said.
The case was identified in Cologne, with further testing on October 18 confirming the patient had the clade 1b variant, a newer strain of the virus linked to a global health emergency declared by the World Health Organization in August.
"The RKI currently considers the risk to the health of the general population in Germany to be low," the institute mentioned, adding that it is closely monitoring the situation and will update its assessment if necessary. The RKI also emphasized that close physical contact is typically required for transmission.
The ongoing outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to nearby countries. According to the state ministry, the patient likely contracted the virus in an East African country.
The first instance of the virus spreading beyond Africa was detected on August 15, when global health officials confirmed a new mpox strain infection in Sweden. Additionally, two patients in Norway have been diagnosed with the clade 2 variety, a less severe form compared to the clade 1b strain, according to Oslo's municipal authorities.
World Health Organization has reported over 35,000 suspected cases of mpox across Africa in 2024, with nearly 1,000 deaths potentially linked to the disease
The WHO has approved Abbott Laboratories' mpox diagnostic test for emergency use, marking a key step in boosting testing in outbreak-hit countries. The real-time PCR test detects mpox virus DNA from skin swabs, with more tests under review to increase diagnostic availability worldwide.
The World Health Organization reports 30,000 suspected mpox cases in Africa this year, with over 800 deaths, mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Bank is allocating $128.89 million to support ten African countries in battling the outbreak.
The agreement, finalised at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, establishes that developed countries will contribute $300 billion annually by 2035 to assist poorer countries in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Delegates at COP29 in Baku push for consensus on climate finance targets, with calls for urgent action to address the global climate crisis as negotiations intensify.
Short-term rental owners in Croatia protested against proposed tax hikes, claiming the measures unfairly target low-income earners and threaten their livelihoods. The government argues the changes aim to tackle a housing crisis driven by tourism demand.
Global tensions rise at COP29 in Baku as developing nations reject the proposed $300B climate finance goal, demanding at least $500B annually to address urgent needs. Negotiations face a breaking point as blocs threaten to walk out over unmet demands.
Negotiations at COP29 in Baku face a critical impasse as sharp divisions over climate finance and fossil fuel commitments threaten progress.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
The United Nations COP29 climate change conference in Baku seeks $1 trillion annually to help vulnerable nations tackle climate change, as political tensions and Argentina’s withdrawal overshadow talks.
Neuralink to trial brain implant in Canada, aiming to help paralysed patients control devices through thought.
UNICEF has raised concerns over the toxic smog hospitalizing children in Lahore, Pakistan, the world’s most polluted city in terms of air quality, according to Swiss group IQAir’s live ratings. Schools and outdoor areas have been closed in the region.
Local hospitals are overrun by a mysterious illness. The Sudanese town of al-Hilalya has seen at least 73 deaths according to local doctors. It comes as violence and displacement in eastern El Gezira state continue to intensify. It has been under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
AstraZeneca’s new weight-loss pill, AZD5004, shows promise in early trials with tolerable side effects, advancing to Phase II studies focused on reducing obesity.
An analysis of U.S. health claims reveals that while GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy may aid weight loss, they significantly increase medical costs—rising to $18,507 annually—without reducing obesity-related health events, raising concerns for insurers and employers.
The agreement, finalised at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, establishes that developed countries will contribute $300 billion annually by 2035 to assist poorer countries in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Delegates at COP29 in Baku push for consensus on climate finance targets, with calls for urgent action to address the global climate crisis as negotiations intensify.
Short-term rental owners in Croatia protested against proposed tax hikes, claiming the measures unfairly target low-income earners and threaten their livelihoods. The government argues the changes aim to tackle a housing crisis driven by tourism demand.
Global tensions rise at COP29 in Baku as developing nations reject the proposed $300B climate finance goal, demanding at least $500B annually to address urgent needs. Negotiations face a breaking point as blocs threaten to walk out over unmet demands.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment