The new variant of the mpox virus was detected for the first time in France on Monday. Health authorities nevertheless indicate that there is “no need to worry.”
A person was diagnosed as carrying the clade 1b subvariant of the mpox virus in France this Monday, January 6. This is a first on French territory, while the vast majority of cases are on the African continent.
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”, details the press release from the Ministry of Health. Health.
Healing between two and four weeks
Health authorities note that there is “no need to worry” about the presence of this virus. The Minister responsible for Health Yannick Neuder indicated that the infected patient is a “sporadic case.” Supported by the Rennes University Hospital, she “has no symptoms, is not in any serious condition”, declared the minister.
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads from animals to humans, but is also transmitted through close physical contact with a person infected with the virus.
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Concerning the symptoms, Public Health France specifies this Tuesday that “infection with Mpox can cause a vesicular eruption, made of vesicles filled with liquid which progress towards drying out, the formation of crusts then scarring”. The main difference with the variant causing the epidemic in 2022 seems mainly linked to increased transmission and danger.
“This rash may be accompanied by fever, headache, body aches and asthenia. The lymph nodes may be swollen and painful, under the jaw, in the neck or in the groin,” writes SPF .
“Itching may occur. The blisters are more concentrated on the face, in the anogenital area, the palms of the hands and soles of the feet,” continues the health agency.
According to them, “healing takes place in 2 to 4 weeks” but complications are possible. The virus can cause “digestive problems”, “a major rash”, “neurological complications”, even “serious forms in the lungs.”
The public most at risk are children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people. “Its case fatality rate (mortality) remains very low overall,” explains the health agency.
