Visuel du virus de la variole du singe - Monkeypox

Monkeypox Cases: Update as of August 16, 2022

Update as of August 16, 2022, following reports of monkeypox cases in France and around the world. The next update will be released on Friday, August 19, 2022.

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Cases of monkeypox with no direct link to travel to Central or West Africa or to people returning from travel have been reported in Europe and around the world since early May 2022. Since then, the outbreak has spread to a growing number of countries, and the disease is being closely monitored in France and across Europe.

Update on the Situation in France

As of 12:00 p.m. on August 16, 2022, 2,749 confirmed cases had been reported in France.

The distribution of cases by region of residence (or by region of reporting when the region of residence is unknown) is shown in Figure 1. The Île-de-France region has the highest number of cases (1,642, or 60%), followed by Occitanie (244 cases) and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (213 cases). Ten cases reside abroad.

For 747 cases (27%), the region of residence was unknown and was replaced by the region of reporting.

The distribution of cases by date of symptom onset (when known) is shown in Figure 2. The date of symptom onset for these cases ranges from May 7, 2022, to August 10, 2022. Due to reporting delays, data from the most recent weeks have not been consolidated.

The reports received do not always mention the date of symptom onset. As an alternative to this information, the distribution of cases by date of reporting is presented in Figure 3.

The dip in reports observed in week 28 (July 11–17) can be explained by the public holiday (July 14).
All cases reported to date are adult males, except for 29 adult females (1.1% of women) and 4 children under 15 years of age. Adult cases have a median age of 36 years; 25% of adult cases are under 30 years of age, and 25% are between 43 and 77 years of age.

Among the cases for which information was available at the time of notification, 53 (3%) are known to have been hospitalized due to their Monkeypox infection.

In France, no deaths have been reported to date.

Figure 1. Confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=2,739 cases) by region of residence (or by region of reporting when the region of residence is unknown), France, May–August 2022 (data as of August 16, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.)

Figure 1. Cas confirmés de variole du singe (n=2 739 cas) par région de résidence (ou par région de signalement lorsque la région de résidence est inconnue), France, mai-août 2022 (données au 16/08/2022 – 12h00)

Figure 2. Confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=1,889 cases) by week of symptom onset, France, May–August 2022 (data as of August 16, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 2. Cas confirmés de variole du singe (n=1 889 cas) par semaine de début des symptômes, France, mai-août 2022 (données au 16/08/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past few weeks (shown in gray) is not yet fully finalized.

Figure 3. Confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=2,748 cases) by week of reporting, France, May–August 2022 (data as of August 16, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 3. Cas confirmés de variole du singe (n=2 748 cas) par semaine de signalement, France, mai-août 2022 (données au 16/08/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past week (shown in gray) is not yet fully finalized.

Characteristics of cases that could be investigated

Since the characteristics of confirmed cases in men have remained stable for several weeks, epidemiological investigations will now focus on cases involving women, children, and atypical cases. Consequently, information on symptoms and case profiles will no longer be updated. The information presented below is based on investigations conducted through August 8, 2022.

Among the cases investigated, 75% presented with a genital-anal rash, 70% with a rash on another part of the body, 76% with fever, and 72% with lymphadenopathy. Among the cases investigated, 74 are immunocompromised (5.1% of responding cases); 385 are HIV-positive (representing 25% of cases aware of their HIV status). Among non-HIV-positive cases, 701 are on pre-exposure prophylaxis or “PrEP”* (representing 64% of non-HIV-positive cases who answered the question).

To date, in France, 95% of cases for which sexual orientation is reported occurred among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Among cases for which information is available, 71% report having had at least two sexual partners in the three weeks prior to the onset of symptoms.

Most of the cases surveyed report being unable to identify the person who infected them; 24% are secondary cases, meaning they report having been in contact with a monkeypox case within the three weeks prior to the onset of symptoms.

*PrEP is a preventive treatment for HIV intended for people who are HIV-negative but at high risk of infection.

Information and Prevention Initiatives

Given what has been observed in Europe regarding the disease, targeted communication was quickly implemented for MSM. The website sexosafe.fr, dedicated to the sexual health of MSM, is regularly updated with a summary of current knowledge on the subject and prevention measures. Poster, radio, and digital campaigns provide information to the public, complementing on-the-ground initiatives. Since June 17, the digital campaign has generated nearly 681,805 clicks on banners and over 576,963 visits to the Sexosafe website.

All information on vaccination is updated weekly on the page for the general public and the page for healthcare professionals (accessible without a login) on the vaccination-info-service website.

Prevention efforts are continuously adapted to the evolving situation and the current state of knowledge.

To make information more accessible to vulnerable people in precarious situations, a visual resource—translated into 6 languages and developed with professionals working with these individuals—is available on Sante Publique France.

The MOBCO Newsletter No. 7, developed in collaboration with frontline workers, compiles a series of questions and answers on the topic of monkeypox. It is intended for professionals or volunteers in contact with people in precarious situations.

In France, ongoing surveillance of monkeypox through the mandatory reporting system has been strengthened, and information and alert messages are being sent to healthcare professionals. Discussions are also continuing with other European countries, the WHO, and the ECDC.

Monkeypox Info Service: A helpline to answer questions about monkeypox

The “Monkeypox Info Service” hotline is available daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the toll-free number 0 801 90 80 69 (free calls and services; anonymous and confidential). This service is responsible for supporting prevention messages and protective measures, providing information on symptoms, treatments, and vaccination, and offering advice and referrals to care services.

Since the hotline opened, 5,853 calls have been handled by the Monkeypox Info Service (median age: 39 years).

  • 846 calls were handled in week 32 (compared to 1,328 in week 31)

  • Calls from vaccinated individuals wanting to know how long it takes to be protected after the first dose

  • Calls from recovered individuals (20 callers in week 32) who want to know if they are immune and whether, having contracted monkeypox, they need to get vaccinated

  • Psychological and relational difficulties center on the fear of being infected or of infecting one’s partner(s) or those around them, as well as the fear of being forced to reveal one’s sexual orientation at work (due to the length of sick leave)

Preventive Vaccination Against Monkeypox

In response to the spread of the Monkeypox virus, the High Authority for Health, following a referral from the Directorate General of Health, recommended in its opinion dated July 7, 2022, that preventive vaccination be offered to groups most at risk of exposure to the virus.

Regarding the rollout of the vaccination, 79,405 doses of the third-generation vaccine had been delivered by the Agency to the regions as of August 16, 2022.

Since July 11, 2022, in addition to individuals who have had high-risk contact with an infected person, individuals meeting the criteria established by the HAS may schedule an appointment to be vaccinated throughout the country:

  • Men who have sex with men and report having multiple sexual partners

  • Transgender individuals reporting multiple sexual partners

  • Sex workers

  • Professionals working in venues where sexual services are provided

Vaccination may also be considered on a case-by-case basis for healthcare professionals who care for infected individuals.

To learn more about vaccination and access to vaccination sites:

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