Visuel du virus de la variole du singe - Monkeypox

Monkeypox Cases: Update as of September 1, 2022

Update as of September 1, 2022, following reports of monkeypox cases in France and around the world. The next update will be released on September 6.

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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 both France and Europe.

As of September 1, 3,646 biologically confirmed cases had been recorded in France. Today, Santé publique France is supplementing the relevant regional epidemiological reports with analyses that include departmental data.

Situation Update in France

National Situation as of September 1, 2022, at 12:00 p.m.

As of September 1, 2022, at 12:00 p.m., 3,646 confirmed cases had been reported in France. The breakdown of cases by region of residence (or by region of reporting when the region of residence is unknown) is as follows: 2,236 in Île-de-France, 299 in Occitanie, 237 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 231 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 174 in Hauts-de-France, 132 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 92 in Grand Est, 76 in Pays de la Loire, 39 in Normandy, 36 in Centre-Val de Loire, 34 in Brittany, 29 in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and 6 in Martinique. For Corsica, Guadeloupe, Mayotte, and Saint Martin, each of these regions reported fewer than 5 cases. 20 cases reside abroad.

The vast majority of confirmed adult cases recorded to date are male, with the exception of 59 (1.6%) female cases. The number of cases reported among women is low (a maximum of 12 cases reported in week 34), but the proportion of confirmed female cases has been increasing over the past few weeks. Among the confirmed cases reported in week 34 (unconsolidated data), 7.5% are women (vs. 5.3% in week 33 and 2.9% in week 32). These data cover a small number of cases; given the context of a decline in the total number of confirmed cases over the past several weeks, they should therefore be interpreted with caution. Furthermore, a difference in the use of laboratory testing between men and women cannot be ruled out. 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. Nine children under 15 years of age were reported.

The distribution of cases by date of symptom onset (when known) is shown in Figure 1. Due to reporting delays, data from the past few weeks are not consolidated. The reports received do not always specify the date of symptom onset. As an alternative to this information, the distribution of cases by date of reporting is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1. Confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=2,577 cases, number of missing data points = 1,069) by week of symptom onset, France, May–August 2022 (data as of September 1, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 1. Cas confirmés de variole du singe (n=2 577 cas, nombre de données manquantes = 1 069) par semaine de début des symptômes, France, mai-août 2022 (données au 01/09/2022 – 12h00).
The data from the past few weeks has not yet been fully consolidated.

Figure 2. Confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=3,645 cases, missing data = 1) by week of reporting, France, May–August 2022 (data as of September 1, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 2. Cas confirmés de variole du singe (n=3 645 cas, données manquantes = 1) par semaine de signalement, France, mai-août 2022 (données au 01/09/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past week has not yet been fully consolidated.

Information and Prevention Initiatives

Given what has been observed in Europe regarding the disease, targeted communication was quickly implemented for men who have sex with men (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 805,106 clicks on banners and over 715,681 visits to the Sexosafe website.

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

Prevention measures 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 and volunteers working 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, 7,049 calls have been handled by the Monkeypox Info Service.

Preventive Vaccination Against Monkeypox

In response to the spread of the Monkeypox virus, the High Authority for Health, following a request from the Directorate General for 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, 145,732 doses of the third-generation vaccine had been delivered by the Agency to the regions as of September 1, 2022. Deliveries are primarily made on a weekly basis.

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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