Mpox is mainly transmitted through sex between men.

In Germany, infections with the MPOX virus have increased again in recent weeks and months. Nevertheless, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) remains calm. "Overall, we don't find the current infection rate surprising," RKI infection expert Klaus Jansen told the German Press Agency. "Compared to the major outbreak in 2022, we are still operating at a significantly lower level."

A total of 232 Mpox infections have been reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) so far this year (as of May 12). This means that the number of cases this year is already approaching the total from last year: a total of 275 cases were reported in 2024. However, the number of cases is far from the level of the major outbreak in 2022: Back then, 3,672 cases were recorded.

Mpox is transmitted through close physical contact, especially during sex. The virus primarily causes a skin rash, but also fever and muscle pain. Vaccination against Mpox is recommended for certain groups of people in Germany. These include men who have sex with men and frequently change partners. Two doses are required for primary immunization.

"Slight increases and decreases in infections, such as those we've seen regionally in recent months, are to be expected, as MPox can repeatedly recur in sexual networks where immunity is lower, and where some infections can occur and then subside," Jansen explained. "Therefore, vaccination is of great importance as a very good prevention tool."

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has so far seen no signs that infections are spreading beyond these risk groups. "There have been very, very few cases among women or children in Germany so far; these have primarily been secondary cases in close social circles or within families," Jansen said. There has also been no evidence of an increase among returning travelers so far.

Observers, however, are keeping an eye on the beginning of the festival season as a possible risk factor. However, expert Jansen notes that last year, no significant cluster of infections was observed around events such as Christopher Street Day.

The virus that causes Mpox is native to West and Central Africa and belongs to the same virus family as the one that previously caused smallpox. Smallpox was long considered one of the most dangerous diseases for humans, and the infection killed a large proportion of those affected. Vaccination campaigns eradicated the pathogen, and the world has been considered smallpox-free since 1980. These vaccines also protect against Mpox.