Berlin, October 23 (IANS). The first case of the new variant Clade 1B of Mpox virus has been reported in Germany. However, there is no news of any death related to this. The country’s leading public health authority, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), gave this information.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) released a statement on its website on Tuesday. In which it said, “The RKI’s current assessment is that the risk of exposure to the general population in Germany is low. However, the institute is monitoring the situation closely and will take further action if necessary from time to time based on the latest available information.” “Assessments will continue to be made.”
The institute further explained that the current risk assessment is based on the fact that mpox infection “requires close physical contact”.
According to the report of Xinhua news agency, the institute did not say when the infection was identified nor did it reveal the identity of patient zero.
RKI said that it believes that the vaccines currently available in the market are effective against this new variant Clade 1.
Ampox virus, caused by Orthopox virus, was previously most widespread in Western and Central African countries. However, from the year 2022, this virus started spreading in Europe also. Infection with another strain of Mpox virus, Clade 2B, has also been reported to have reached Germany and other countries. In mid-August this year, the first case of the clade 1b Mpox variant outside the African continent was confirmed in Sweden.
In August, the World Health Organization declared MPOX a public health emergency, considering it a matter of international concern.
-IANS
PSM/KR