KURIER: What is your knowledge of the current infection situation with monkeypox?
Christopher Steininger: There are currently reports of an alleged increase in monkeypox infections in Portugal. 14 young men are said to have been infected at a gay parade in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. None of these victims had previously been to Africa. According to my information, there were also a few cases in rodent breeders on the east coast of the USA a few years ago. I know Madagascar as a classic region where people come into contact with the monkeypox virus.
Given the cases in Europe, should we be worried?
In Austria we don’t have to worry about monkeypox. These are transmitted from animals to humans. Human-to-human transmission is very rare. You just have to wait and see how the situation develops. If the worst comes to the worst, you have to come up with something.
Transmission occurs mainly via aerosols. However, British experts are already issuing warnings to homosexual and bisexual men. Does this make sense?
You have to look at the situation first. What is remarkable is that so many cases have occurred in such a short period of time. But actually the virus is not transmitted between humans. This is not a corona pandemic 2.0.
If you get monkeypox: what is the treatment?
The question arises as to whether the usual antiviral drugs are effective. Basically, there are several effective drugs available, which mainly support the body in ridding itself of the virus.
Since people over 50 were still vaccinated against smallpox, is the vulnerable group of older people adequately protected?
According to information from the WHO, people who have received the smallpox vaccine have a lower risk of contracting monkeypox.