Mpox viral particles. The disease is spread mainly through close contact with infected people. Reuters
Mpox viral particles. The disease is spread mainly through close contact with infected people. Reuters
Mpox viral particles. The disease is spread mainly through close contact with infected people. Reuters
Mpox viral particles. The disease is spread mainly through close contact with infected people. Reuters

Health

Mpox: Germany reports first case of new variant

Two people in Norway also diagnosed with different strain of the virus

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

October 22, 2024

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Germany has detected its first case of a new mpox variant, the country's Robert Koch Institute for public health said on Tuesday.

A 33-year-old man in Cologne was admitted to hospital for treatment and isolated on October 12, the health ministry in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia said.

The results of more detailed testing showed on October 18 that the man had the clade 1b variant, a new form of the virus linked to a global health emergency declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in August. The current outbreak originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to neighbouring countries.

Mpox global public health emergency in 2024 – in pictures

A laboratory nurse takes a sample from a child with a suspected case of mpox at a treatment centre near Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in July. Reuters
A laboratory nurse takes a sample from a child with a suspected case of mpox at a treatment centre near Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in July. Reuters
A doctor verifies the growth of skin lesions on the ear of a child suffering from mpox in July. Reuters
A doctor verifies the growth of skin lesions on the ear of a child suffering from mpox in July. Reuters
A mother points out the rash marks on her child who recovered from mpox, in July. Reuters
A mother points out the rash marks on her child who recovered from mpox, in July. Reuters
This image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a colourised transmission electron micrograph of mpox particles (red) found in an infected cell (blue). Niaid / AP
This image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a colourised transmission electron micrograph of mpox particles (red) found in an infected cell (blue). Niaid / AP
The World Health Organisation has declared its second public health emergency of international concern on the mpox virus in two years. AP
The World Health Organisation has declared its second public health emergency of international concern on the mpox virus in two years. AP
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, can be treated with antiviral medication, and it can be prevented with a two-dose vaccine regimen. AP
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, can be treated with antiviral medication, and it can be prevented with a two-dose vaccine regimen. AP
African health officials said mpox cases have risen by 160% in the past year. Doctors Without Borders / AP
African health officials said mpox cases have risen by 160% in the past year. Doctors Without Borders / AP
Images from the UK Health Security Agency show the stages of monkeypox. UK Health Security Agency
Images from the UK Health Security Agency show the stages of monkeypox. UK Health Security Agency
An image taken during an outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1996 and 1997 shows the arms and torso of a patient with skin lesions. Reuters
An image taken during an outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1996 and 1997 shows the arms and torso of a patient with skin lesions. Reuters
A man's hands are covered in a rash caused by the mpox virus that swept through the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1996 to 1997. Reuters
A man's hands are covered in a rash caused by the mpox virus that swept through the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1996 to 1997. Reuters
This 2003 electron microscope image from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention shows an mpox virion, from a sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. AP
This 2003 electron microscope image from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention shows an mpox virion, from a sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. AP

The man in Germany is thought to have picked up the virus in an east African country, the ministry said. The Robert Koch Institute said it “currently considers the risk to the health of the general population in Germany to be low” but it was monitoring the situation closely and would adapt if necessary.

Two patients in Norway have been diagnosed with the clade 2 variety of the mpox virus, the Oslo municipality said on Tuesday. A statement said authorities were investigating whether there is a connection between the two cases. Clade 2 is a less severe form of mpox than the clade 1b strain.

Scientists this year reported the emergence of a new form of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo that may cause milder symptoms but spreads more easily. So far the vast majority of cases have been reported in the DRC.

Outbreaks of mpox are currently affecting 18 out of 55 countries in Africa, where they have caused 1,000 deaths as of last week.

The number of suspected cases in Africa so far this year stands at 42,438, with 8,113 confirmed as mpox, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Mpox is spread mainly through close contact with infected people. Also known as monkeypox, it belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms such as fever, chills and body aches.

People with more serious cases can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals.

The first sign of the virus spreading outside Africa came on August 15 when global health officials confirmed an infection with a new strain of the mpox virus in Sweden.

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Director: Daniel Espinosa 

Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona

Rating: 2/5

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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

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8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint

Greenheart Organic Farms 

This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.

www.greenheartuae.com

Modibodi  

Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.

www.modibodi.ae

The Good Karma Co

From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes. 

www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco

Re:told

One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.

www.shopretold.com

Lush

Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store. 

www.mena.lush.com

Bubble Bro 

Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.

www.bubble-bro.com

Coethical 

This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.

www.instagram.com/coethical

Eggs & Soldiers

This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.

www.eggsnsoldiers.com

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Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers

1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.

 

 

Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
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Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

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Naga
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
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  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind

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