Paris Match. What are the developments of the virus?
Dr Romain Palich. Currently, two facts are merging. On the one hand, the Mpox epidemic [ou variole du singe] that we experienced in 2022 all over the world, and particularly in France, with a virus that belongs to a clade called 2b. On the other hand, we are now seeing an epidemic outbreak of the virus that belongs to clade 1b in Africa. The continent has recorded some 19,000 cases and 548 deaths since the beginning of 2024. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the most affected country. The resurgence of the virus is proving very different with, for the moment, only one case imported into Europe. In France, the epidemic almost ended in the winter of 2022. Around a hundred cases presented themselves in hospitals this year but with the virus that we already knew. We have had an effective vaccine since July 2022 and the majority of the population that we consider to be at risk has been able to benefit from it.
Also read Monkeypox: What to Fear, What to Do?
Is the new clade more dangerous than the 2022 clade?
The severity and lethality of the infection comes from African data. It is impossible to extrapolate from what is happening there, given that their health system is not the same as in France. The big difference is that the vaccine is not available in these regions. We are also launching a plea for the most affected countries to receive it as soon as possible.
What are the symptoms?
This virus manifests itself in…
- ParisMatch
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