First case of mpox variant confirmed in Berlin
December 18, 2025
The first detection of mpox variant Ib in Berlin highlights the ongoing risk of cross-border transmission in an interconnected Europe. Although the case appears isolated and linked to travel and sexual contact, it underscores persistent vulnerabilities among unvaccinated individuals and the importance of targeted prevention. German authorities report no evidence of increased severity or sustained local spread, which is reassuring. Still, this case is a reminder that mpox has not disappeared. Continued surveillance, clear risk communication, and improved vaccine uptake among at-risk populations remain essential to prevent sporadic cases from becoming wider outbreaks.
The confirmation of Berlin’s first mpox variant Ib case marks an important moment in Europe’s evolving mpox landscape. While Germany has largely seen variant II circulation since 2022, the appearance of variant Ib reflects the reality that mpox continues to move along travel and sexual networks that cross national borders. The infected individual, an unvaccinated man in his late 30s, reported recent travel to other European countries and likely sexual exposure. These details reinforce what public health officials already know: mpox risk is shaped more by behavior and connectivity than geography alone.
Importantly, German health authorities and the Robert Koch Institute have emphasized that there is currently no evidence that variant Ib causes more severe disease in Europe. There have been no mpox-related deaths in Germany, and transmission from variant Ib cases has remained limited. This suggests that existing surveillance, rapid isolation, and contact management measures are working.
However, reassurance should not lead to complacency. Mpox remains a threat for specific groups, particularly immunocompromised individuals and young children. The fact that this case involved someone who was not vaccinated highlights a persistent gap in prevention. Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for reducing both infection risk and disease severity, especially for those with ongoing exposure risk.
The Berlin case also illustrates why mpox must be treated as a sustained public health issue rather than a resolved crisis. Variant Ib has been circulating in Central Africa since 2024, and travel-associated introductions into Europe are likely to continue. Early detection, transparent communication, and strong coordination between national and regional health authorities will be critical to prevent wider spread.
Ultimately, mpox control depends on vigilance. Even single cases matter, not because they signal panic, but because they offer an opportunity to reinforce prevention, protect vulnerable populations, and maintain the public health systems that have so far kept broader outbreaks at bay.