Update on August 11, 2022
Since the beginning of May 2022, cases of monkeypox (monkey pox) have been reported in Europe and worldwide since early May 2022, not directly linked to travel to or from people returning from travel to Central or West Africa. countries and the disease is the subject of increased surveillance in France and Europe.
The Director-General of the WHO announced on Saturday, July 23 that he has declared a public health emergency of international concern regarding this epidemic. This is the organization’s highest alert level for member countries to initiate a series of measures.
In France, orthopoxvirus infections are subject to long-term monitoring through a mandatory notification system. In view of the current epidemic, surveillance of these infections has been intensified by French Public Health and information and warning messages have been sent to health workers and the population most at risk.
Update in France
The situation in the country on 11.08.2022 at 12:00.
As of 12:00 on August 11, 2022, 2,673 confirmed cases have been identified in France: 895 in Ile-de-France, 236 in Occitania, 205 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 162 in Provence – Lives in Alp-Cotta. Azur, 117 in Hauts-de-France, 104 in New Aquitaine, 68 in Grand Est, 43 in Pays-de-la-Loire, 30 in Normandy, 27 in Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, 26 in Brittany, 24 in Center-Val de Loire, 2 in Corsica, 2 in Martinique, 1 in Guadeloupe and 1 in Saint-Martin. 720 cases do not have residence, 10 cases live abroad.
The average age of adult patients is 36; 25% of adults are under 30 years old, and 25% are between 43-77 years old. Out of all the cases, 28 are adult women and 2 are children.
Information and preventive measures
Targeted outreach to MSM people was rapidly implemented, given what was observed about the disease in Europe. The site sexosafe.fr, dedicated to the sexuality of MSM people, is regularly updated with summaries of knowledge on the subject and preventive measures. Messages reminding of symptoms and what to do in case of symptoms were delivered through a digital campaign. Since June 17, the digital campaign has generated approximately 639,165 clicks on banners and more than 512,388 visits to the Sexosafe website.
This device was completed with a poster campaign in entertainment venues with approximately 1,350 poster locations. And by airing spots on community radio for several weeks. At the same time, posters, flyers and leaflets were distributed in the field, thanks to participating associations, ARS and Sexosafe groups, as part of pride marches and in MSM meeting places. To date, 2,842 posters and 94,500 flyers have been ordered.
A digital campaign on preventive vaccination was launched on July 25, and after the publication of the opinion of the Supreme Health Authority on July 07, tools for the field will also be available in the coming days.
All vaccine information is updated weekly on the general public and healthcare professional (accessible without login) pages of the Vaccination-info-service website.
Prevention measures are continuously adapted to the evolution of the situation and the state of knowledge.
To facilitate access to information for vulnerable people in vulnerable situations, Public Health France has a visual tool translated into 6 languages, developed together with professionals who work with these people.
Compiled by actors in the field, MOBCO newsletter n°7 brings together a series of questions/answers on monkeypox/monkeypox. Intended for professionals or volunteers who come into contact with people in unsafe situations.
In France, through a mandatory notification system, long-term monitoring of monkeypox is being strengthened, and information and warning messages are being sent to health officials. Exchanges continue with other European countries, WHO and ECDC.
Monkeypox information service: a listening device that answers questions about monkeypox
Starting Wednesday, July 13, a listening device is open to answer questions raised by the monkey pox. The “Monkey flower information service” telephone line, subsidized by the French Public Health and run by the SIS Association, can be used toll-free every day from 8 am to 11 pm. 0 801 90 80 69 (free calls and services, anonymous and confidential). This device is responsible for providing accompanying prevention messages and information about protective measures, symptoms, treatment and vaccination, and advising and guiding care devices.
Since the opening of the line, 5510 interviews Developed in Monkeypox data service.
Prophylactic vaccine against monkey disease
Faced with an outbreak of the monkeypox virus (monkeypox), the High Authority for Health, which was taken over by the General Directorate of Health, recommended in its opinion of 7 July 2022 that the groups most exposed to the virus should be offered preventive vaccination. .
On 11.08.2022, the Agency brought 56,525 doses of the 3rd generation vaccine to the areas regarding the placement of the vaccine.
Starting from July 11, 2022, people who have been in risky contact with a sick person, as well as people included in the indicators kept by HAS, can make an appointment to be vaccinated throughout the country.
For more information about vaccination and access to vaccination websites:
What is monkey pox (monkey pox)?
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by Orthopoxvirus. This zoonotic disease is usually transmitted to humans by wild rodents or primates in the forest areas of Central and West Africa, but human-to-human transmission is also possible, particularly in the family home or care setting.
How is it transmitted?
The monkeypox virus can be transmitted by droplets (saliva, sneeze, spray, etc.), as well as by direct contact with a patient’s skin or mucous membrane damage. Sexual intercourse with or without penetration meets these conditions for contamination, and having multiple partners increases the risk of exposure to the virus. Direct contact with damaged skin, especially during intercourse, facilitates transmission.
Contamination can also occur through contact with the patient’s environment (bedding, clothing, dishes, bathrobes, etc.). Therefore, it is important for patients to observe isolation during the entire duration of the disease (until the last itching disappears, at most 3 weeks).
In Central or West Africa, humans can also become infected through contact with wild or captive animals, dead or alive, such as rodents or monkeys.
What are the symptoms?
Infection with the monkeypox virus can cause a blistering rash consisting of fluid-filled blisters that dry, peel, and then progress to scarring. Itching may occur. Vesicles are mostly concentrated on the face, anogenital area, palms and soles of the feet, and can also be found on the trunk and limbs. Mucous membranes in the oral cavity and genital area are also affected. This rash may be accompanied by fever, headache, body aches and asthenia. Lymph nodes may be swollen and painful under the chin, in the neck, or in the groin. Sore throats are also reported.
Incubation of the disease can vary from 5 to 21 days. The fever phase lasts about 1 to 3 days. The disease often heals on its own, after 2-3 weeks, and sometimes after 4 weeks.
Is monkey flower serious?
The disease is more severe in children and people with weak immunity. It can be complicated by superinfection of skin lesions or respiratory, digestive, ophthalmological or neurological disorders.
In Europe, 2 deaths have been reported so far (Spain).
