A first case of the new mpox variant has been identified in France, the Ministry of Health told AFP this Monday, January 6 in a press release, confirming information from West France. Mpox is characterized by skin lesions, such as pustules, a high fever et muscle pain.
“The Ministry of Labor and Health” was informed of “a first human case of clade 1b mpox on the national territory, in Brittany. The recommended management measures have been put in place,” detailed the press release. And continues: “The reported case concerns a person who has not traveled to Central Africa, an area in which the different clades of mpox viruses have been actively circulating for several months, including clade 1b.” “This person, however, was in contact with two people returning from central Africainvestigations are underway to find the origin of the contamination and identify all contact persons.”
The ministry recalled that four countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) have identified cases of clade 1b mpox since this summer: Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom et Belgium. The risk of infection by Monkeypox clade I for the general population in France and Europe is considered low by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the press release further noted. “But sporadic cases, linked to countries with more intense viral circulation, can occur. The occurrence of this case in France was quickly detected thanks to the surveillance system in place.“
Still according to Ouest France, the woman who tested positive lives in Brittany and was diagnosed at Rennes University Hospital. She would be “doing well”indicated the daily without citing a source.
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