German School Temporarily Closes After Mpox Cases Detected Among Students

Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia implement precautionary measures following the detection of a new Mpox variant linked to a family returning from Africa.

A special-needs school in Rösrath, Germany, has been closed after two students tested positive for Mpox, a virus variant potentially more severe and contagious than previous strains.
The infections are part of a cluster involving four family members, reportedly linked to a recent trip to East Africa by one member of the household.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox a global health emergency due to rising cases of the Klade 1b variant, though detailed studies on its impact remain limited.
WHO guidelines recommend hygiene measures and avoiding close contact to prevent spread, emphasizing that Mpox transmits primarily through skin-to-skin contact rather than airborne routes.
Children, particularly those under eight years old or with preexisting health conditions, are at higher risk for severe Mpox complications, though no deaths have been reported in Germany to date.