Virus detected in the canton of Bern – Switzerland reports the first case of monkeypox

– Switzerland reports first case of monkeypox

As the BAG announced on Saturday, the first case was confirmed in Switzerland. The person concerned was probably infected abroad.

Posted today at 5:17 p.m—

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A first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Switzerland. It is a case in the canton of Bern, as the cantonal health department announced on Saturday. The case was reported on Friday and confirmed after laboratory tests.

The laboratory test took place at the Geneva University Hospital, as the Health, Social and Integration Department of the Canton of Bern writes in a statement. The first suspected case was reported to the cantonal medical service of the canton of Bern (KAD) and the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG).

The KAD immediately started contact tracing in order to be able to understand possible chains of infection, it said. The person concerned probably came into contact with the virus abroad.

fever, malaise, blisters

She had been examined by a doctor because of fever, malaise and the appearance of blisters. The sick person is in outpatient treatment and is isolated at home. All contact persons were informed by contact tracing, writes the KAD.

Since the beginning of May there has been a very unusual accumulation of cases of monkeypox in humans in several European countries and in the USA. The transmission probably took place from person to person. The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern about the spread of the disease. The BAG is closely monitoring the situation, the office writes on its website.

The authority recommends people entering from risk areas such as West and Central Africa to monitor their state of health for possible symptoms. If there is a suspicion of infection, those affected should be isolated. The finding should then be reported to the BAG.

Milder course than smallpox

Monkeypox is a viral infectious disease caused by the orthopoxvirus, as the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) writes on its website. In humans, the clinical picture bears a certain resemblance to smallpox (variola).

In contrast to human smallpox, which has been eradicated since 1980, monkeypox is generally much milder, according to the KAD. Most people recover within several weeks. Overall, a favorable prognosis can be made. However, some of those affected also have severe courses.

The infectious disease is transmitted from animals, presumably rodents, to humans (zoonosis). Human-to-human transmission is also possible.

More infections through sexual contacts

It is possible that sexual contact with an infected person increases the likelihood of transmission from person to person, the BAG continues in the background information on its website. Men who have sex with men appear to have an additional risk of contagion. The transmission routes are currently being scientifically examined in depth.

According to information from the KAD, the first symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, muscle and back pain and swollen lymph nodes. A rash with blisters or pustules that resemble smallpox develops one to three days after the onset of fever. The rash usually spreads from the head to the rest of the body. Palms of hands and soles of feet may also be affected.

According to the BAG, there is no specific vaccine against monkeypox. A third-generation smallpox vaccine would offer good protection against monkeypox. However, this is not permitted in Switzerland. In severe cases, antiviral therapy can also help. However, this treatment is also currently not approved in Switzerland.