Germany, France, Belgium confirm Monkeypox cases

Bavaria's Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology says a patient has monkeypox. France and Belgium also reported cases.

Friday, Germany, France, and Belgium confirmed their first cases of monkeypox.

Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology in Munich reported the German case on Thursday. Patient had skin lesions, a disease symptom.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said monkeypox would soon be found in Germany. He said the outbreak can be contained quickly.

In Ile-de-France, which includes Paris, a 29-year-old man was infected.

The Belgian case was found in northern Flanders.

An overview

The monkeypox virus originated in Africa. According to the CDC, the first human case was in the DRC in 1970. (CDC).

Two virus strains exist. One strain, Congo, causes severe disease and up to 10% mortality. West African strain has 1% fatality rate.

Monkeypox is milder than smallpox. Monkeypox causes swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) while smallpox does not, according to the CDC.

Air droplets, close bodily contact, or contaminated linens or objects can spread the virus.