A large proportion of monkeypox cases occur in Zurich
A large proportion of the monkeypox cases in Switzerland to date have occurred in the canton of Zurich: Of the 198 cases registered on Friday, there were 73 in the canton of Zurich by Thursday. So far, these cases have only affected men.
So far, monkeypox has mainly affected men.Image: Shutterstock
The affected men are between 20 and 65 years old, according to an inquiry by the Keystone-SDA news agency to the media office of the Zurich Health Directorate (GD).
The DG cannot answer whether some of the men know each other. Contact persons of infected people would be informed by contact tracing. However, the infections cannot be traced back to individual events, said media spokeswoman Laura Gialluca on Thursday.
So far, no measures have been taken in Switzerland to prevent further infections, for example at major events. The canton also does not want to make any special arrangements for the largest event in the canton of Zurich, the Street Parade on August 13. Information pray it at the contact points and on social media. The Aids-Hilfe also provides detailed information on their website.
46 cases in the canton of Geneva
It is unclear why the cases reported so far have mainly affected men who have sex with other men. According to the Swiss AIDS Federation, it could be because they are sensitized to other sexually transmitted infections. The clinical picture similar to monkeypox are such infections.
The Zurich Health Department said that these men seem to have an additional risk of infection. After Zurich, most cases have so far been found in western Swiss cantons. As the BAG announced on request, 46 cases have so far been registered in the canton of Geneva and 26 in the canton of Vaud.
The authorities recommend that those affected isolate themselves and contact a doctor. There is currently no obligation to isolate monkeypox.
Transmission through skin contact
The monkeypox virus is a less dangerous cousin of smallpox, which has been eradicated for about forty years. The disease begins with a high fever and quickly progresses to a crusting rash.
The virus is transmitted to humans from animals, most likely rodents. Transmission from person to person is also possible through direct skin contact or the exchange of larger drops of saliva. (saw/sda)
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