After the new version of monkeypox “Empox” appeared in two children in a school in Germany, it was decided to close a school near Cologne as a precaution.
The Rheinische-Bergisz district authorities announced that students at the school for people with special needs in Roserat, western Germany, will receive lessons remotely until next Friday, noting that this measure is a preventive measure.
An infection with one of the types of the virus, the Clade 1B strain, had been discovered in 4 members of a family residing in the district, including two children in school.
The family is subject to quarantine, according to what the department stated, and the course of the disease in these infected people remains mild so far.
The department’s authorities added that the Health Department and the school administration decided, after extensive consultations with the Robert Koch Institute and other specialized institutes, to take these preventive measures given the situation requires the need to provide special protection for students.
The school halls were kept closed to prevent extensive mixing between students, and thus limit any possible spread of the virus.
It is noteworthy that Friday is the last day of school before the Christmas break.
The department’s authorities said that after the infections were announced, the Health Office identified people who had contact in the school and professional environment and informed them.
She added that these contacts were made aware of possible symptoms and preventive measures.
A department spokeswoman said there were no other injuries so far.
It is noteworthy that monkeypox has symptoms, including a clear skin rash, in addition to other general symptoms, such as fever, head and muscle pain, but fatal infections are rare.
The department’s authorities explained that the infection may have resulted from the travel of an infected family member, who had close contact with local residents in Africa.
The first infection with the “1B” version of the monkeypox virus “Mbox” was discovered in Germany, in Cologne, in mid-October. The infected person was 33 years old, and it was possible that he was infected with the virus in one of the countries located in East Africa.