Monkeypox

From animal to human
In areas where monkeypox is widespread, transmission to humans occurs mainly through contact with infected animals or their excreta and through the consumption of insufficiently heated meat from infected animals.

From person to person
Transmission from person to person is rare and usually only occurs through close contact (e.g. sexual contact). Smallpox contains particularly high amounts of virus. In particular, contact with the vesicle contents of smallpox or the scab on the skin can lead to infection.

Via clothing or objects
The virus can also be transmitted via clothing, bed linen, towels or objects such as eating utensils and smartphones that have been in contact with an infected person.

In contrast to human smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980, monkeypox usually has a much milder course with similar symptoms. However, severe and even fatal courses are possible. The first signs of the disease are mainly fever, headache, muscle and back pain and swollen lymph nodes. A few days after the onset of fever, a skin rash develops in the form of spots to pustules, which crust over and fall off over time. Lymph nodes in front of the ear. After 2 to 4 weeks, the conjunctivitis usually subsides on its own.

The first signs of the disease appear about 5 to 21 days after infection. Infected persons are contagious as long as they have signs of illness. This usually takes two to four weeks.

Since monkeypox can only be contracted through close contact with infected persons and through shared objects and surfaces, contact with infected persons or persons in contact should be avoided. If there has been close contact with an infected person, the local health department should be contacted.