Monkeypox Cases: Update as of October 11, 2022

Update as of October 11, 2022, following reports of monkeypox cases in France and around the world. The next update will be released on October 18.

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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 October 11, 2022, 4,064 confirmed cases of Monkeypox infection had been reported in France, representing 21 additional cases since the October 4 update.

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 (2,482, or 61.0%), followed by Occitanie (312 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (275 cases), and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (267 cases); 21 cases reside abroad.

The vast majority of confirmed adult cases recorded to date are male, and 102 cases among those over 15 years of age (2.5%) are female. The proportion of female cases increased through Week 36, when it reached 13.6%, and then decreased through Week 39 (with 7.5% of confirmed cases). In S40, the data are not consolidated, and only 3 cases in women were reported compared to 14 cases in men.

Ten (0.25%) children under 15 years of age were reported as confirmed cases. 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, 91 (2.2%) 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 cases ranges from May 7 to October 10, 2022. Due to reporting delays, data from the past few 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.

These updated data show that the peak in infections occurred in late June/early July and that the number of confirmed cases has decreased since then. However, caution is warranted, as improved knowledge of the disease may reduce healthcare utilization among better-informed populations. Several other countries, particularly in Europe, are observing similar trends in the number of new cases reported over the past 3 months.

Figure 1. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=4,043 cases) by region of residence (or by region of reporting when the region of residence is unknown), France, May–October 2022 (data as of October 11, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.)

Figure 1. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n=4 043 cas) par région de résidence (ou par région de signalement lorsque la région de résidence est inconnue), France, mai-octobre 2022 (données au 11/10/2022 – 12h00)

Figure 2. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=2,989 cases, number of missing data points: 1,075) by week of symptom onset, France, May–October 2022 (data as of October 11, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 2. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n=2 989 cas, nombre de données manquantes : 1 075) par semaine de début des symptômes, France, mai-octobre 2022 (données au 11/10/2022 – 12h00)
The data for the past few weeks (in light blue) is not yet fully finalized.

Figure 3. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n = 4,064 cases) by week of reporting, France, May–October 2022 (data as of October 11, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 3. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n= 4 064 cas) par semaine de signalement, France, mai-octobre 2022 (données au 11/10/2022 – 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 October 11, 2022, 168,452 doses of the third-generation vaccine had been delivered by the Agency to the territories.

As of October 10, 2022, the total number of doses administered is 120,128 (source: Ministry of Health and Prevention).

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 were conducted in addition to on-the-ground initiatives. From June 17 to September 30, the digital campaign generated nearly 958,788 clicks on banners and more than 884,071 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 facilitate access to information for vulnerable people in precarious situations, a visual tool—translated into 8 languages and developed with professionals working with these individuals—is available on Santé 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 in mid-July, 7,986 calls have been handled by the Monkeypox Info Service.

  • 98 calls were handled in week 39 (compared to 115 the previous week).

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

  • The proportion of women calling the service is on the rise (19% vs. 14% in week 39).

  • Inquiries related to symptoms have increased by 14 percentage points (28% vs. 14% in week 39) and concern doubts about clinical signs while awaiting diagnosis.

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