After two young people were infected with monkeypox last week, the first case in a child has now become known.
Berlin/Stuttgart – A four-year-old child was infected with monkeypox for the first time in Germany, this has now been confirmed by the Robert Koch Institute. As can be seen from the RKI situation report, the girl lives in a household with two infected adults. The girl comes from Pforzheim in Baden-Württemberg and is four years old. Just last week, the RKI became aware of the first infections among young people aged 15 and 17.
Monkeypox in Germany: four-year-old child infected
As the dpa reports, citing the Ministry of Health in Baden-Württemberg, the girl has no symptoms of illness. The four-year-old was also examined by a doctor as a precaution after a case in the household became known. A throat swab was then used to diagnose monkeypox. There are no other close contacts outside of the household.
A total of almost 3,000 monkeypox cases in Germany so far
The first case of monkeypox was registered in Germany around two and a half months ago, since then a total of 2916 cases have been reported to the RKI by Monday. In almost all cases it is men. So far, only seven female cases have been transferred to the RKI. “According to current knowledge, close contact is required for transmission of the pathogen,” it said. The transmissions occurred primarily in the context of sexual activities. “As far as is known, most of those affected do not become seriously ill,” writes the RKI.
