The Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declared by the WHO, in a context where several outbreaks are raging in different countries involving different strains and varying levels of risk, aims to call for the establishment of an effective, coordinated, and united international response. In this regard, the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Solidarity (MTSS) is preparing to be approached by European and international health authorities for donations of vaccines and treatments. The risk of infection with a Clade I Mpox virus for the European population is currently considered low by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). As in Sweden, this does not preclude the likelihood of cases being reported in France, for which health authorities will implement appropriate management measures. The effort to provide donations to the hardest-hit countries on the African continent is part of our overall strategy to protect our citizens by helping to control outbreaks.

Since the 2022 outbreak, health authorities have had a response strategy in place for a Mpox outbreak, covering surveillance, prevention, rapid diagnosis, case and contact management, and vaccination. In particular, this response relies on raising awareness among the populations most at risk, as defined by Santé publique France, on a reactive and preventive vaccination strategy for these populations, and on rapid diagnostic capabilities throughout the country. This strategy is currently being reassessed in collaboration with health agencies to ensure it is fully effective against Clade
I. Health authorities will adapt the epidemic response strategy in close collaboration with healthcare professionals and representatives of healthcare system users.

In terms of surveillance, infections caused by orthopoxviruses, including Mpox, are subject to ongoing surveillance through the Mandatory Reporting system and through the characterization of viral strains by the National Reference Center (CNR) for Orthopoxviruses. Given the current alert, surveillance of these infections has been strengthened by Santé publique France.

To date, no Clade I infections have been identified in France. Since the 2022 outbreak, Clade II has been circulating at low levels, with monthly reported cases ranging from 12 to 26 between January and June 2024. To date, the reported cases are mostly mild, and no deaths have been reported. For any inquiries, the “Monkeypox Info Service” hotline, established in 2022 by health authorities, remains available to answer questions about Mpox. Open 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 providing information on symptoms, treatments, prevention measures, and vaccination, and for referring individuals to care services.

The Ministry of Labor, Health, and Solidarity wishes to reiterate that health authorities are fully mobilized in light of the active circulation of Clade I Mpox in Central Africa and have a robust
national response strategy in place. Healthcare professionals across the country are being specifically and individually informed of the current situation today by DGS Urgent, and in addition, the Directorate General of Health will inform partners and associations that have been working in this field since 2022 to reduce the risks of the disease spreading at the national and regional levels. Finally, a press briefing will be held in the coming days.