Monkeypox Cases: Update as of November 29, 2022

Update as of November 29, 2022, on confirmed cases of monkeypox reported in France and worldwide. The next update will be released on December 20, 2022.

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In early May 2022, cases of monkeypox with no direct link to travel to Central or West Africa—where the virus is present—or to people returning from such trips were reported in Europe and around the world. Since then, the disease has been subject to enhanced surveillance in France and across Europe, based on mandatory reporting, for which the form has been specifically updated.

Situation Update in France

As of 12:00 p.m. on November 29, 2022, 4,109 confirmed cases of Monkeypox infection had been reported in France, representing 5 additional cases since the update on November 1.

The distribution of confirmed 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 (2,500, or 60.8%), followed by Occitanie (312 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (288 cases), and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (271 cases); 22 cases reside abroad.

The vast majority of confirmed adult cases recorded to date are male, and 111 cases among those over 15 years of age (2.7%) are female. The proportion of female cases peaked in S36, reaching 13.6% (16 out of 118 cases), and then declined (to 7.5% of confirmed cases, or 3 cases from S39 to S41, and 2 cases in S42). Over the past two weeks (i.e., since the last update), 3 of the 5 new confirmed cases are women. The small sample size and the lack of information regarding possible transgender status among these female cases do not allow for conclusions regarding a potential change in the dynamics of virus transmission. Thirteen (0.31%) children under 15 years of age have been reported as confirmed cases since May 2022. Confirmed adult cases have a median age of 36 years; 25% of adult cases are under 29 years of age, and 25% are between 43 and 81 years of age.
Among confirmed cases for which information is available, 96 (2.3%) were hospitalized due to their Monkeypox infection; this proportion has remained stable over time.

No deaths have been reported to date.

The distribution of cases by date of symptom onset (when known) is shown in Figure 2. The date of symptom onset for confirmed cases ranges from May 7 to November 9, 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.

Since the peak in infections reached in late June/early July, the number of confirmed cases has been declining. To date, the weekly number of confirmed cases has fallen below the threshold of 5 cases. However, caution is warranted, as improved knowledge of the disease may lead to reduced healthcare-seeking behavior among better-informed populations. Several other countries, particularly in Europe, have observed similar trends in the number of new cases reported since the end of summer. Over the past week, the number of new cases worldwide has decreased by 46%.

Figure 1. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n = 4,087 cases) by region of residence (or by region of reporting when the region of residence is unknown), France, May–November 2022 (data as of November 29, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.)

Figure 1. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n= 4 087 cas) par région de résidence (ou par région de signalement lorsque la région de résidence est inconnue), France, mai-novembre 2022 (données au 29/11/2022 – 12h00)

Figure 2. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=3,033 cases, number of missing data points: 1,076) by week of symptom onset, France, May–November 2022 (data as of 11/29/2022 – 12:00 p.m.)

Figure 2. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n=3 033 cas, nombre de données manquantes : 1 076) par semaine de début des symptômes, France, mai-novembre 2022 (données au 29/11/2022 – 12h00)
The data from the past few weeks has not yet been fully consolidated.

Figure 3. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n = 4,109 cases) by week of reporting, France, May–November 2022 (data as of November 29, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.)

Figure 3. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n= 4 109 cas) par semaine de signalement, France, mai-novembre 2022 (données au 29/11/2022 – 12h00)
The data for the past week (in light blue) are not yet fully finalized. The dip in reported cases observed in week 28 (July 11–17) can be attributed to the July 14 holiday.

Preventive vaccination against monkeypox

Regarding the rollout of the vaccination program, as of November 29, 2022, 174,572 doses of the third-generation vaccine had been delivered by the Agency to the territories.

As of November 28, 2022, the total number of doses administered was 138,383 (source: Ministry of Health and Prevention).

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 get 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:

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 promoting prevention messages and protective measures, providing information on symptoms, treatments, and vaccination, and offering advice and referrals to care services.

Since the hotline opened in mid-July, 8,387 calls have been handled by the Monkeypox Info Service.

  • 64 calls were handled in weeks 46 and 47 (compared to 97 in the previous two-week period).

  • The decline in the number of calls to the Monkeypox Info Service continues.

  • People aged 25–39 remain the largest group contacting the service, although this figure has dropped by 7 percentage points (41% vs. 48% in the previous two-week period).

  • At the same time, there has been an 8-point increase (24% vs. 16% in the previous two-week period) among those over 55. For nearly 75% of them, their questions concern vaccination, and for 42%, the risks of transmission.

  • Questions regarding symptoms (vaccine side effects or potential infection) have also increased by 5 percentage points (23% vs. 18% in the previous two weeks).

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