update on August 23, 2022

Figure 1. Laboratory-confirmed monkeypox cases (n=3,402 cases) by region of residence (or by reporting region when region of residence is unknown), France, May-August 2022 (data as of 08/23/2022 – 6:00 p.m.)

In early May 2022, cases of monkey pox (Monkeypox) not directly linked to travel to Central or West Africa where the virus is present, or people returning from travel, were reported in Europe and the world. Since that date, the disease has been the subject, in France and in Europe, of heightened surveillance. As of August 23, 3,421 biologically confirmed cases have been identified in France.

Update in France

As of August 23, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., 3,421 biologically confirmed cases have been identified in France.

As part of its regular approach to checking the quality of the indicators, the Agency has identified 350 cases not yet entered in the databases since the last report published on the agency’s website on Thursday 18/08. The total number of confirmed cases published today therefore includes catch-up data which should not be interpreted as an exceptional increase in the number of cases. Spread over time, this catch-up does not change the trends observed. It has no impact on patient information and care.

The distribution of confirmed cases by region of residence (or by reporting region when the region of residence is unknown) is presented in figure 1. The Ile-de-France region concentrates the largest number of cases (2,110, or 62% ), followed by Occitania (277 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (231 cases) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (212 cases). 19 cases reside abroad.

For 1,005 confirmed cases (29.3%), the region of residence was not known and was replaced by the region of reporting. The vast majority of confirmed cases identified to date are adult males (1.4% female). Eight children under the age of 15 were declared. Adult cases have a median age of 36; 25% of adult cases are under 30 years old and 25% are 43 to 77 years old. Among the cases for which information is available at the time of notification, 65 (3%) are known to have been hospitalized because of their Monkeypox virus infection.

In France, no deaths have been reported to date.

The main characteristics of 39 confirmed cases in women are as follows: their median age is 27 years (extremes between 18 and 61 years). They are mainly domiciled in Ile-de-France.

The circumstances of contamination of these women are difficult to understand. Among the 22 women for whom information is available, 5 reported having frequented a person infected with monkeypox in the 3 weeks preceding the onset of symptoms. This contact took place in the family home or the place of living (cohabitation with a member of the family or the spouse). Two women declared a profession likely to expose them to the virus (health professional and hotel trade). For the others, the interview data did not identify a presumed mode of contamination.

The distribution of confirmed cases by symptom onset date (when known) is shown in Figure 2. Case symptom onset dates range from May 7, 2022 to August 18, 2022. reporting deadlines, the data for the last few weeks are not consolidated.

The reports received do not always mention the date of onset of the symptoms. As an alternative to this information, the distribution of cases according to their date of reporting is presented in Figure 3.

These data seem to show that the number of contaminations peaked at the end of June/beginning of July and that since then the number of cases has tended to decrease. However, we must remain very careful because the summer period could lead to delays in diagnosis and reporting. Similarly, some people may not have sought care. The other countries with which we trade, and in particular in Europe, have also observed a slowdown or even a decrease in the number of new cases declared in recent weeks. This trend will have to be confirmed in the weeks to come.

Figure 1. Laboratory-confirmed monkeypox cases (n=3,402 cases) by region of residence (or by reporting region when region of residence is unknown), France, May-August 2022 (data as of 08/23/2022 – 6:00 p.m.)

Figure 1. Laboratory-confirmed monkeypox cases (n=3,402 cases) by region of residence (or by reporting region when region of residence is unknown), France, May-August 2022 (data as of 08/23/2022 – 6:00 p.m.)

Figure 2. Laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=2,415 cases) by week of onset of symptoms, France, May-August 2022 (data as of 08/23/2022 – 6:00 p.m.).

Figure 2. Laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=2,415 cases) by week of onset of symptoms, France, May-August 2022 (data as of 08/23/2022 – 6:00 p.m.).

The data for the last few weeks (in grey) are not fully consolidated.

Figure 3. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n= 3,402 cases) by reporting week, France, May-August 2022 (data as of 08/23/2022 – 6:00 p.m.).

Figure 3. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n= 3,402 cases) by reporting week, France, May-August 2022 (data as of 08/23/2022 – 6:00 p.m.).

Data for the last week (in grey) is not fully consolidated (the low in reporting seen in week 28 (July 11-17) can be explained by the July 14 public holiday).

Information and prevention actions

Given what has been observed in Europe on the disease, targeted communication was quickly implemented towards MSM people. The website sexosafe.fr, dedicated to the sexuality of MSM people, is regularly updated with a summary of knowledge on the subject and prevention measures. Poster, radio and digital campaigns provide information to people in addition to actions in the field. Since June 17, the digital campaign has generated nearly 729,877 clicks on the banners and more than 656,402 visits to the Sexosafe site.

All information on vaccination is updated weekly on the page intended for the General public and that intended for health professionals (accessible without login) of the site Vaccination-info-service.

Prevention actions are continuously adapted to the evolution of the situation and the state of knowledge.

To facilitate access to information for vulnerable people in precarious situations, a pictorial tool, translated into 6 languages, developed with professionals working with these people is available on Sante Publique France.

The MOBCO newsletter n°7 compiled with actors in the field brings together a series of questions/answers on the subject of Monkeypox/monkey pox. It is aimed at professionals or volunteers in contact with people in precarious situations.

In France, long-term monitoring of monkeypox through the mandatory notification system is reinforced and information and alert messages are sent to health professionals. Exchanges are also continuing with other European countries, the WHO and the ECDC.

Monkeypox info service: a listening device to answer questions about monkeypox

The “Monkeypox info service” telephone line is accessible every day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., on the toll-free number 0 801 90 80 69 (free, anonymous and confidential call and services). This device is in charge of accompanying prevention messages and protective measures, of providing information on symptoms, treatments and vaccination, of advising and directing towards the care devices.

Since the line opened in mid-July, 6,400 interviews have been carried out on Monkeypox info service.

  • 547 interviews were conducted in week 33 (versus 846 in week 32)
  • Steady decline in the number of daily interviews since Wednesday, August 10, 2022.
  • The proportion of calls from women is on the rise: it represents 17% of calls, compared to 13% in week 32.
  • Ile de France remains the leading region for calls, but the percentage is down 6% compared to week 32 (47% vs 53%). The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie regions each represent 10% of call origins. We see a 3% increase in calls from the Hauts-de-France region (7% in week 33 vs 4% in week 32).
  • Overall, no major change in call typologies. We nevertheless observe a 4% increase in the percentage of calls concerning the risk of transmission (risk of being contaminated and/or risk of contaminating one’s partner): 21% vs 17% in week 32.

Preventive vaccination against monkeypox

Faced with the spread of the Monkeypox virus (monkey pox), the High Authority for Health, seized by the Directorate General for Health, recommended in its opinion the July 7, 2022 that preventive vaccination be offered to the groups most exposed to the virus.

Regarding the deployment of vaccination, 103,372 doses of 3rd generation vaccine were delivered by the Agency to the territories on 08/23/2022. Deliveries are mostly made on a weekly basis.

Since July 11, 2022, in addition to people who have had risky contact with a sick person, people falling within the indications retained by the HAS can make an appointment to be vaccinated throughout France:

  • Men who have sex with men reporting multiple sex partners.
  • Trans people reporting multiple sexual partners.
  • sex workers.
  • Professionals working in places of sexual consumption.

Vaccination can also be considered on a case-by-case basis for health professionals who have to take care of sick people.

For more information on vaccination and access to vaccination sites :

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