Monkeypox Cases: Update as of October 18, 2022

Update as of October 18, 2022, following reports of monkeypox cases in France and around the world. The next update will be released on October 25.

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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 18, 2022, 4,084 confirmed cases of Monkeypox infection had been reported in France, representing 20 additional cases since the October 11 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 (2,492, or 61.0%), followed by Occitanie (312 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (281 cases), and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (268 cases); 22 cases reside abroad.

The vast majority of confirmed adult cases recorded to date are male, and 105 cases among those over 15 years of age (2.6%) are female. The proportion of female cases increased through Week 36 (September 5–11), when it reached 13.6% (16 out of 118 cases), and then decreased through Week 39 (with 7.5% of confirmed cases, or 3 out of 40). Since week 39 (September 26 to October 2), the number of infected women has remained stable (3 cases per week). Ten (0.24%) children under 15 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 old, and 25% are between 43 and 81 years old. 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 5, 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. These trends are similar to those observed in syndromic data from emergency department visits for suspected Monkeypox (Oscour®). However, caution is warranted, as improved knowledge of the disease may reduce healthcare-seeking behavior 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=4,062 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 18, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.)

Figure 1. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n=4 062 cas) par région de résidence (ou par région de signalement lorsque la région de résidence est inconnue), France, mai-octobre 2022 (données au 18/10/2022 – 12h00)

Figure 2. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=3,008 cases, number of missing data points: 1,076) by week of symptom onset, France, May–October 2022 (data as of October 18, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 2. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n=3 008 cas, nombre de données manquantes : 1 076) par semaine de début des symptômes, France, mai-octobre 2022 (données au 18/10/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past few weeks (in light blue) is not yet fully finalized.

Figure 3. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n = 4,084 cases) by week of reporting, France, May–October 2022 (data as of October 18, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 3. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n= 4 084 cas) par semaine de signalement, France, mai-octobre 2022 (données au 18/10/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past week (in light blue) are not 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 campaign, as of October 18, 2022, 170,912 doses of the third-generation vaccine had been delivered by the Agency to the territories.

As of October 17, 2022, the total number of doses administered was 125,534 (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 nationwide:

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

  • Transgender people 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:

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 over 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 Sante Publique France.

The MOBCO Newsletter No. 9, developed in collaboration with frontline workers, focuses on vaccination. It is intended for professionals and volunteers in contact with people in precarious situations.

In France, ongoing surveillance of monkeypox through the mandatory reporting system has been strengthened, and informational 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, 8,081 calls have been handled by the Monkeypox Info Service.

  • 95 calls were handled in week 41 (compared to 98 the previous week).

  • The decline in the number of calls to the Monkeypox Info Service continues this week, but at a slower pace than in previous weeks.

  • The proportion of women calling the service dropped sharply in week 41 (6% vs. 19% in week 40).

  • The topics discussed during the calls remain predominantly prevention methods (56%). These are mainly questions about vaccination and its side effects.

  • There was a 15-point increase (28% vs. 13% in week 40) in calls regarding psychological and relational aspects (fear of being infected, risk of infecting others, etc.).

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