2022 2023 mpox outbreak in France

2022–2023 Mpox Outbreak in France
Disease	Mpox
Location	France
First reported	May 2022
Confirmed cases	4,000+ (as of October 2023)
Deaths	2

The 2022–2023 Mpox outbreak in France is part of a global resurgence of mpox, a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The outbreak in France began in May 2022 and has been characterized by a significant number of cases, primarily affecting certain populations.

Background

Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus. The disease is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, but outbreaks have occurred in other regions due to international travel and other factors. The virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected animal, human, or contaminated materials.

Outbreak Timeline

The first cases of the 2022 mpox outbreak in France were reported in May 2022. Initial cases were linked to international travel and large gatherings. The outbreak quickly spread, with cases reported in multiple regions across the country.

May 2022

The first confirmed case in France was reported on May 19, 2022. The patient had recently traveled to a country where mpox was known to be circulating.

June 2022

By June, the number of cases had increased significantly, prompting public health authorities to issue warnings and guidelines to prevent further spread.

July 2022

In July, the French government began a vaccination campaign targeting high-risk groups, including healthcare workers and individuals with known exposure to the virus.

2023

Throughout 2023, the number of new cases gradually declined, although sporadic outbreaks continued to occur. Public health measures remained in place to control the spread of the virus.

Epidemiology

The outbreak in France primarily affected men who have sex with men (MSM), a pattern observed in other countries during the same period. The virus spread through close contact, including sexual contact, and was facilitated by large gatherings and events.

Public Health Response

The French government implemented several measures to control the outbreak, including:

• Vaccination Campaigns: Targeted vaccination of high-risk groups.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Information dissemination about the symptoms and prevention of mpox.
• Contact Tracing: Efforts to identify and isolate contacts of confirmed cases.

Impact

The outbreak had significant public health implications, straining healthcare resources and prompting international collaboration to address the spread of the virus.

Also see

• Mpox
• 2022–2023 mpox outbreak
• Public health in France
• Vaccination campaigns in France