A shift from travel-associated cases to autochthonous transmission with Berlin as epicentre of the monkeypox outbreak in Germany, May to June 2022

Euro Surveill. 2022 Jul;27(27):2200499. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.27.2200499.

Abstract

By 22 June 2022, 521 cases of monkeypox were notified in Germany. The median age was 38 years (IQR: 32-44); all cases were men. In Berlin, where 69% of all cases occurred, almost all were men who have sex with men. Monkeypox virus likely circulated unrecognised in Berlin before early May. Since mid-May, we observed a shift from travel-associated infections to mainly autochthonous transmission that predominantly took place in Berlin, often in association with visits to clubs and parties.

Keywords: MPX; MSM; men who have sex with men; monkeypox; outbreak.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Berlin / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / statistics & numerical data
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mpox (monkeypox) / diagnosis
  • Mpox (monkeypox) / epidemiology*
  • Mpox (monkeypox) / etiology
  • Mpox (monkeypox) / transmission*
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Travel