The Austrian Ministry of Justice has confirmed an outbreak of mpox, also known as monkeypox, at the Josefstadt Prison. An inmate who entered the facility on November 9, 2026, tested positive for the viral disease and is currently in an advanced stage of recovery.
The infected individual is being held in a separate cell, while direct contacts are in precautionary isolation. No symptoms have been found in those contacts, but FFP2 masks are now mandatory for affected inmates and staff at Austria's largest prison facility.
This case is one of 52 registered in Austria in 2026, where the virus is a reportable disease. The outbreak occurs as Josefstadt faces significant overcrowding, currently housing 1,150 inmates despite having an official capacity for only 800 individuals.