Monkeypox Cases: Update as of September 22, 2022

Update as of September 22, 2022, following reports of monkeypox cases in France and around the world.

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Situation Update in France

As of September 22, 2022, at 12:00 p.m., 3,970 confirmed cases of locally acquired Monkeypox infections had been reported in France, representing 72 additional cases since the September 15 update. The breakdown of cases by region of residence (or by region of reporting when the region of residence is unknown) is as follows: 2,423 in Île-de-France, 312 in Occitanie, 269 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 261 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 191 in Hauts-de-France, 138 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 95 in Pays de la Loire, 94 in Grand Est, 45 in Normandy, 40 in Centre-Val de Loire, 37 in Brittany, 29 in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 7 in Martinique, and 5 in Corsica. Finally, 1 case has been reported in Guadeloupe, Réunion, Mayotte, and Saint Martin. 20 cases reside abroad.

The vast majority of confirmed adult cases recorded to date are male, and 94 cases (2.4%) are female. Ten children under the age of 15 have been reported. Adult cases have a median age of 36; 25% of adult cases are under 29 years of age, and 25% are between 43 and 81 years of age.

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. Reports received do not always include 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. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=2,869 cases, number of missing data points: 1,101) by week of symptom onset, France, May–September 2022 (data as of September 22, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 1. Cas biologiquement confirmés de variole du singe (n=2 869 cas, nombre de données manquantes : 1 101) par semaine de début des symptômes, France, mai-septembre 2022 (données au 22/09/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past few weeks (in light blue) is not yet fully finalized.

Figure 2. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=3,970 cases) by week of reporting, France, May–September 2022 (data as of September 22, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 2. Cas biologiquement confirmés de variole du singe (n=3 970 cas) par semaine de signalement, France, mai-septembre 2022 (données au 22/09/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past week (in light blue) is not yet fully consolidated.

Preventive vaccination against monkeypox

Regarding the rollout of the vaccination campaign, as of September 22, 2022, 161,632 doses of the third-generation vaccine had been delivered by the Agency to the territories.

As of September 21, 2022, the total number of doses administered is 102,446 (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 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 940,654 clicks on banners and over 832,458 visits to the Sexosafe 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 8 languages and developed with professionals who work 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 providers.
Since the hotline opened in mid-July, 7,694 calls have been handled by the Monkeypox Info Service.

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