2022 monkeypox outbreak in France

2022 Monkeypox Outbreak in France
Disease	Monkeypox
Source	Human-to-human transmission
Location	France
First outbreak	May 2022
Confirmed cases	4,000+ (as of October 2022)
Deaths	0

The 2022 monkeypox outbreak in France is part of a larger global outbreak of monkeypox that began in May 2022. The outbreak in France has been characterized by human-to-human transmission, primarily among men who have sex with men (MSM), although cases have been reported in other populations as well.

Background

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus. It is similar to smallpox, but generally less severe. The disease was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys kept for research, and the first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Epidemiology

The first cases of the 2022 outbreak in France were reported in May 2022. The outbreak was part of a larger series of monkeypox cases reported in non-endemic countries, primarily in Europe and North America. As of October 2022, over 4,000 cases have been confirmed in France.

The majority of cases have been reported in the Île-de-France region, which includes Paris. The outbreak has predominantly affected men who have sex with men, but cases have also been identified in women and children.

Transmission

Monkeypox is transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. Human-to-human transmission occurs through respiratory droplets, direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens.

Clinical Features

The incubation period of monkeypox is usually 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days. The disease typically begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. Within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the patient develops a rash, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.

Public Health Response

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

• Enhanced surveillance and contact tracing
• Public awareness campaigns targeting high-risk populations
• Vaccination of high-risk groups with the smallpox vaccine, which is effective against monkeypox

Prevention

Preventive measures include avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus, practicing good hand hygiene, and using personal protective equipment when caring for infected individuals.

Also see

• 2022 monkeypox outbreak
• Monkeypox
• Orthopoxvirus
• Public health in France