After Corona, many do not want to deal with a new virus. But monkeypox cases are increasing worldwide – even outside of the original hotspots. Among them, epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding also names Germany. Why we should act now.
Eric Feigl-Ding was one of the first to warn of the omicron threat. The former Harvard researcher has been following the development of monkeypox worldwide for several weeks. Even if there are very few cases worldwide – especially compared to Corona – they are setting the first records.
The epidemiologist wrote on Twitter that there were peaks on three consecutive days with a 7-day average. The development is accelerating in more and more countries outside the original epicentres of England, Spain and Portugal. Germany, France, Canada and the Netherlands also see peaks. Feigl-Ding is increasingly alarmed in his posts and warns: “We have to get this under control as soon as possible.”
Science journalist Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim takes a similar view. In her current “Mailab” video, she picks up on the mood in Germany: “I know nobody wants to hear about a new virus right now. But suppressing your worries doesn’t make them any better either.”
She explains the dangers – even if the disease is usually mild – and that we still have a chance to control it. “That’s why we should act decisively, quickly and in a coordinated manner,” says Nguyen-Kim.
The number of monkeypox cases reported in countries outside Africa since May continues to rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 1,285 cases on Saturday – but based on the status of June 8th. In Germany alone, dozens of other cases have been reported since then. The Robert Koch Institute named 165 cases from nine federal states on Friday. According to the WHO, at least 28 countries outside of Africa are affected. Since the beginning of the year, a good 1,500 suspected cases have been reported from eight African countries, where the disease has been known in some cases for decades. 72 victims died.
The WHO assumes that monkeypox may have been circulating undetected in countries outside of Africa for weeks. However, she considers the risk of global spread to be moderate.
“If we mean something like corona by pandemic here, then no,” is Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim’s clear answer. “There is no reason to believe that at the moment. The disease is well known, it spreads more slowly and only through close physical contact. We have vaccinations and medicines.” But: It doesn’t just go away on its own, but requires quick and consistent action. In her opinion, it would be very reckless to lose control of it – “not only because damage and rare deaths can be avoided with relatively little effort, but also because ultimately with every infection you give a virus the chance to mutate”.
