Germany identifies its first case of new mpox variant, views risk to wider population as low

BERLIN – The first case of the new mpox variant has been detected in Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for public health said on Oct 22, adding that it viewed the risk to the wider population as low.

In a statement, the institute said an infection caused by the new variant, which had been acquired abroad, was detected on Oct 18. It noted close physical contact was required for transmission.

“The RKI currently considers the risk to the health of the general population in Germany to be low,” the institute said, adding it was monitoring the situation closely and would adapt its assessment if necessary.

The World Health Organisation

declared mpox a global public health emergency

for the second time in two years in August after an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries.

The first sign of its spread outside the African continent came on Aug 15 when global health officials confirmed an infection with a

new strain of the mpox virus in Sweden

. REUTERS