„Besorgniserregend“: Forscher warnen vor Mpox-Ausbreitung – Fälle und Übertragungswege steigen rasant

Stand:16.08.2025, 17:21 Uhr

Von: Leoni Unfried  

Forscher schlagen Alarm, denn es gibt immer mehr Fälle von Mpox. Bei der Unterform der Pockenviren nehmen auch die Ansteckungswege und Varianten zu.

Kassel – Forscher warnen vor der rasanten Ausbreitung von Mpox. Wie das European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in seinem wöchentlichen Bericht vom 1. August 2025 mitteilt, bereiten nicht nur die Schnelligkeit der Verbreitung Sorgen, sondern auch die Entdeckung neuer Übertragungsmuster. Die WHO bestätigt in ihrem aktuellen Situationsbericht vom 31. Juli 2025, dass verschiedene Bevölkerungsgruppen mit den Viren in Kontakt kommen.  

Mpox breitet sich immer weiter aus. Forscher sind besorgt. © BSIP/IMAGO

Nach Angaben der US-Gesundheitsbehörde CDC sind mittlerweile 24 afrikanische Länder von Mpox-Ausbrüchen betroffen – fast doppelt so viele wie noch vor einem Jahr. Aus diesem Grund fordern Wissenschaftler nun deutlich strengere Maßnahmen auf globaler Ebene, so die WHO. Auch im Magazin Nature Medicine erklärten britische Forscher, dass man Hinweise hätte, die auf ein hohes Epidemie- oder Pandemierisiko hindeuten. Das Virus verursache immer mehr mehrere unabhängige Ausbrüche unterschiedlicher Varianten.  

Rasche Ausbreitung von Mpox gilt als „besorgniserregend“

Ein Team von internationalen Forschern verfolgt die Entwicklung von Mpox in der Demokratischen Republik Kongo (DRK). Dabei steht die schnelle und stetige Entwicklung der Pockenviren im Fokus der Forschungen, berichtet scitechdaily.com. Forscher Dr. Jason Kindrachuk bezeichnet diesen Punkt als „besorgniserregend“, denn die Verbreitung der Krankheit verändere sich, heißt es weiter. Die Problematik bestehe darin, dass Mpox zunächst überwiegend in ländlichen Gebieten auftrat.

Doch mittlerweile ist das Pockenvirus auch in städtischen Regionen zu finden. Eine Studie, welche auf thelancet.com veröffentlicht wurde, zeigt außerdem eine signifikante Veränderung bei der Ausbreitung und Schwere der Krankheit. Die Studienergebnisse zeigen, dass in Süd-Kivu der Verlauf deutlich schwächer ablief. Dies könnte darauf hindeuten, dass sich das Virus möglicherweise verändert hat oder sich verändert. Man fürchtet derzeit eine unaufhaltsame Ausbreitung von Mpox.   

Mpox-Virus: Historie, Ansteckung, Ausbreitung, Symptome, Impfschutz

Fotostrecke ansehen

Gefahr Mpox wächst: Übertragungswege verändern sich – Immer mehr Erkrankte

Die Forscher beobachten in ihrer Studie auch, dass sich die Form der Übertragung verändert. Bis zum Jahr 2023 übertrugen sich die meisten Mpox-Viren von Wildtieren direkt auf den Menschen. Besonders häufig kam es zu Infektionen nach dem Kontakt mit Nagetieren, meistens handelte es sich dabei um die Untergruppe „Ia“ des Mpox-Virus. Betroffen waren vor allem Kinder unter 15 Jahren. Die auf TheLancet veröffentlichte Studie zeigt jetzt aber, dass eine neue Variante, die Subgruppe „lb“, aufkommt. Diese Mpox-Variante überträgt sich von Mensch zu Mensch. Auch in Europa gab es bereits Mpox-Fälle.  

Außerdem zeigt sich ein Anstieg von Infizierten in der Altersgruppe der 15- bis 34-Jährigen, heißt es. Die Forscher erklären, dass sich viele Betroffene bei sexueller Aktivität ansteckten. Zudem stellten die Wissenschaftler fest, dass die infizierten Erwachsenen sowohl Haut- als auch Genitalverletzungen zeigten. Zusätzlich gaben die Patienten an, dass sie in der Sexarbeit tätig seien. So ließe dies den Rückschluss zu, dass bei sexuellen Aktivitäten eine Wahrscheinlichkeit der Übertragung hoch sei, so die Studie. (lu)

OFW remittances hit 6-month high in June

 

Keisha Ta-Asan - The Philippine Star 

August 16, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Money sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) climbed to its highest level in six months in June, boosted by steady demand for Filipino labor abroad and seasonal household spending needs.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that cash remittances rose by 3.7 percent to $2.99 billion in June from $2.88 billion in the same month last year.

“Cash remittances to the Philippines continued to grow in June of this year, with remittances from land-based overseas Filipinos increasing faster than funds from sea-based overseas Filipinos,” the central bank said.

Land-based workers sent $2.43 billion during the month, growing faster at 3.7 percent year-on-year compared to the 3.5-percent increase from sea-based workers, which totaled $555 million.

For the first half, cumulative cash remittances rose by 3.1 percent to $16.75 billion from $16.25 billion a year ago.

Personal remittances, which include both formal and informal channels as well as remittances in kind, grew by 3.7 percent to $3.33 billion in June. This brought total personal remittances to $18.67 billion in the first semester, 3.1 percent higher than a year ago.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies senior research fellow John Paolo Rivera said the uptick reflects continued strong demand for Filipino workers abroad, especially in health care, construction as well as services in the United States, Middle East and Asia.

“Seasonality, particularly mid-year education and household expenses, also likely contributed,” Rivera said.

The BSP said the growth in cash remittances from the US, Singapore and Saudi Arabia mainly contributed to the increase in remittances in the first half.

In terms of country sources, the US posted the highest share of overall remittances during the period with 40.1 percent, followed by Singapore (7.1 percent), Saudi Arabia (6.2 percent), Japan (five percent) and the United Kingdom (4.9 percent).

However, Rivera said risks remain in the second half.

He cited global economic uncertainties, currency volatility and potential policy shifts such as the proposed US remittance tax that could temper inflows.

Likewise, geopolitical tensions and rising costs of living in host countries may also affect the sending capacity of OFWs.

The BSP sees cash remittances increasing by 2.8 percent this year and by three percent next year.

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Wild pair of Philippine Eagles spotted in Bukidnon

 

DAVAO CITY – A wild and untagged pair of Philippine Eagles was spotted somewhere in the hinterlands of Bukidnon province.

By Keith Bacongco

Published Aug 16, 2025 11:32 pm

The Philippine Eagle Foundation said they were the first confirmed sighting in nearly two decades.

The pair was sighted last week but the PEF did not disclose their exact location for their safety.

“This remarkable rediscovery happened within the Buhita (Bukidnon Higaonon Tribal Association) ancestral domain,” the PEF said.

The PEF added that they were soaring mutually, which is an indication of a graceful courtship ritual where two lifelong partners glide side by side. “Together, they mark their territory while reaffirming their bond. It’s a beautiful and powerful dance in the sky, signaling that a new nesting season may be on the horizon.”

PEF Director for Operations Dr. Jayson Ibañez said that the last time a pair of eagles and their eaglet were validated by PEF and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) within the Buhita ancestral domain was in 1996.

“And succeeding annual checks detected only single birds, until monitoring efforts stopped because of security and personnel safety issues,” Ibañez said.

He said that the sighting was due to the month-long expedition of a composite team of PEF, DENR, and local volunteers.

The seasoned PEF conservationist said that the expedition was launched following the increased reports of eagle sightings.

“The old nest used in 1996 was still standing but appeared abandoned. The team did daily observations until they detected the eagle pair in an elegant aerial courtship display within the last week of the expedition.”

This most recent confirmed sighting brings the number of pairs to at least 21 in Bukidnon, which is the home to the highest number of eagle pairs in the country, Ibañez said.

He added that the provincial government has passed an ordinance declaring the Philippine Eagle as their flagship species and allotting funding for their conservation.

The province is one of the focused areas of the PEF in their conservation program.

Ibañez attributed the success of the expedition to the combination of indigenous knowledge and the customary rules of Buhita members.

He acknowledged the efforts of the Buhita ancestral domain leaders and elders to keep their forests intact that have benefited wildlife and people.

“We’ve always suspected that a pair may still thrive in the area because it remained intact across the years. The results of the expedition have once and for all validated that suspicion,” Ibañez said.

According to the PEF, a pair of Philippine Eagle needs about 4,000 to 11,000 hectares of forest land to thrive in the wild, depending on the number of prey items in the area.

The PEF credited the rediscovery of the critically-endangered bird to the Buhita trail masters, forest guards, PEF biologists and monitoring staff, and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Valencia team.

“This is a good sign that despite everything, our Philippine Eagles are finding ways to survive in the wild. Let’s make sure to do our part in helping them thrive,” the PEF said.

· Kriezl Jane Torres Crowned Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2025

 

Mindanao Daily News

Kriezl Jane Torres of Talakag, Bukidnon, has proudly brought home the Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2025 crown, showcasing the beauty and richness of her hometown on a national stage. The coronation night, held at Okada Manila, saw Kriezl standing out among the country's most stunning and eco-driven women, proving that beauty with a purpose thrives in the highlands.

A Shining Moment for Bukidnon

Kriezl's win puts Talakag and Bukidnon in the spotlight for its rich culture, breathtaking natural wonders, and passionate people. Her triumph is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the province's potential in eco-tourism. With her new title, Kriezl is set to share the story of her home with the world, promoting the beauty and charm of Bukidnon.

Full Elemental Court Announced

The Miss Philippines Earth 2025 pageant also announced its Full Elemental Court, with Kriezl joining other talented women in various categories. The winners include Joy Barcoma as Miss Philippines Earth 2025, Maria Flordeliz Mabao as Miss Philippines Air, Angel Rose Tambal as Miss Philippines Water, and Jaymie Strickland as Miss Philippines Fire.

Special Shoutout to Bukidnon Queens

Other Bukidnon representatives, including Maria Erra Ocon, Dane Amante, Aldren Ross Balaba, Ellamarie D. Andricoso, and Alexandra Pasayon, were also given a special shoutout for carrying the province's pride, beauty, and spirit with grace and strength on the national stage. Their presence and courage inspire the next generation of Bukidnon women to dream big and wear their heritage proudly.

Sharing the Story of Bukidnon

With her new title, Kriezl Jane Torres is ready to share the story of her home with the world. From the cool breeze of Bukidnon's mountains to the warmth of its communities, Kriezl's journey as Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2025 is set to promote the province's eco-tourism potential and showcase its unique culture and natural wonders.