Germany identifies its first case of new mpox variant

FILE PHOTO: A test tube labelled "Mpox virus positive" is held in this illustration taken August 20, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany has detected its first case of the new mpox variant, the Robert Koch Institute for public health said on Tuesday, adding that it viewed the risk to the wider population as low.

The patient is a 33-year-old man who was isolated after being admitted to hospital for treatment on Oct. 12, the health ministry in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia said.