KURIER: What is your knowledge of the current status of monkeypox infection?
Christopher Steininger: There are currently reports of an alleged increase in monkeypox infections in Portugal. 14 young people were reportedly infected at a gay parade in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. None of these victims had previously been to Africa. As per my information, there were also some cases in rodent breeders on the east coast of the US 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 concerned?
In Austria we don’t have to worry about smallpox. 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 happens, you have to invent something.
Transmission occurs mainly by aerosols. But British experts are already issuing warnings for gay and bisexual men. That makes 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, in fact, the virus is not transmitted between humans. This is not a corona pandemic 2.0.
If you get chickenpox: what is the treatment?
The question arises whether the usual antiviral drugs are effective. Basically, there are several effective drugs available which mainly help the body to get rid of the virus.
As 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 smallpox.