Mpox is on the rise in Berlin with gay men seen most at risk
April 17, 2025
A sharp rise in mpox cases in Berlin has prompted health officials and LGBTQ+ advocates to call for an urgent vaccination campaign targeting gay and bisexual men. Berlin reported 43 cases in the first three months of 2025—quadruple the number during the same period in previous years. Unlike recent European cases tied to travel, most of Berlin’s cases are locally acquired, highlighting vaccine coverage gaps. While the infections are from Clade II and not the deadlier Clade Ib variant, public health experts emphasize that uninsured and newly arrived individuals must be reached through community-led, stigma-free health outreach and access.
Berlin is grappling with a resurgence of mpox, reporting 43 cases in the first quarter of 2025—more than four times the number seen during the same period in 2023 and 2024. This uptick, centered primarily in Berlin, accounts for over a third of Germany’s total 185 cases this year, according to the Robert Koch Institute. Alarmingly, most infections were acquired locally, contrasting with the travel-related Clade Ib cases observed in other European nations. Health officials in Berlin have confirmed that all recent infections were in men, with an average age of 35, and at least seven cases linked to sexual transmission.
The outbreak is attributed to Clade II, a less virulent strain primarily affecting men who have sex with men (MSM). While less severe than the 2022 outbreak that saw over 1,300 cases in Berlin alone, the current situation has renewed urgency around vaccine equity. Officials cite gaps in vaccination coverage—especially among uninsured and newly arrived residents—as a key vulnerability. LGBTQ+ groups stress that community organizations offering sexual health services must be resourced to effectively reach those most at risk, while calling for stigma-free messaging that affirms the dignity and healthcare rights of queer individuals.
Although the World Health Organization considers the cluster concerning, it has not declared it indicative of a larger outbreak. However, Berlin health authorities are ramping up education and vaccine access efforts. According to LAGeSO, ensuring mpox vaccines are available to all—regardless of insurance—is essential. Advocates like Stephan Jäkel from Schwulenberatung echo the need for inclusive, community-centered responses that prioritize outreach through trusted LGBTQ+ networks. With heightened awareness and rapid intervention, Berlin may avoid a repeat of the 2022 crisis, but swift, equitable action remains critical.