The reported case involves an individual who has not traveled to Central Africa, a region where various mpox virus clades—including clade I b—have been actively circulating for several months. However, this individual had been in contact with two people returning from Central Africa; investigations are underway to determine the source of the infection and identify all at-risk contacts associated with the diagnosed case.

As a reminder, four countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) have reported cases of mpox clade I b since the summer of 2024: Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) considers the risk of infection with Monkeypox clade I for the general population in France and Europe to be low. However, sporadic cases linked to countries with more intense viral circulation may occur. This case in France was quickly detected thanks to the surveillance system in place.

Since the 2022 outbreak, Monkeypox virus clade IIb has been circulating at low levels in France: in 2024, 215 cases of mpox, all caused by clade IIb, were reported to Santé publique France, with an average of 3 cases reported per week by the end of the year. To
date, no cases of clade I had been detected in France.

The detection of this Clade Ib case does not change the response strategy. To address this virus, regardless of the clade, France has a response strategy—regularly reassessed since 2022—based on surveillance (mandatory case reporting and virological analyses by the National Reference Center for Orthopoxviruses), prevention, diagnosis, case and contact management, as well as free vaccination for target populations and contacts.

Prevention measures for target groups: vaccination and adherence to preventive measures

To protect themselves and others, health authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination for target populations. In accordance with the opinion of the High Authority for Health (HAS) dated August 29, 2024, vaccination is recommended as a preventive measure prior to exposure for individuals at high risk of exposure, and as a reactive measure for at-risk contacts of a mpox case.

In accordance with the opinion of the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) dated September 2, 2024, individuals with close ties to Central African countries where the mpox virus is actively circulating—including those who regularly visit family members or humanitarian workers—may also get vaccinated against mpox before traveling.

As a reminder, people at high risk of exposure are:

• Men who have sex with men (MSM) reporting multiple partners and transgender people reporting multiple partners

• Sex workers / people engaged in prostitution

• Professionals working in venues where sexual services are provided

• Partners or people living in the same household as those at high risk of exposure mentioned above

Contact information for Mpox vaccination centers is available at www.sante.fr/mpox.

For travelers coming from or going to Central Africa, it is recommended to follow preventive measures:

• Wash your hands frequently

• Avoid contact with people infected with Mpox or exhibiting rashes suggestive of Mpox, with objects potentially contaminated by these individuals (clothing, linens, or dishes), as well as with animals, particularly rodents.

For any questions regarding symptoms, treatments, prevention measures, and vaccination, please call:

For more information:

• Mpox: An Update on the Virus - Ministry of Labor, Health, and Solidarity (sante.gouv.fr)

• Mpox Virus: Questions and Answers - Ministry of Labor, Health, and Solidarity (sante.gouv.fr)

• Mpox Info Service - 0 801 90 80 69 (mpox-info-service.fr)

• Mpox | Public Health France (santepubliquefrance.fr)

• Opinion of the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) dated September 2, 2024

• Opinion of the High Authority for Health (HAS) dated August 29, 2024

• Vaccination-info-service