Monkeypox Cases: Update as of November 1, 2022

Update as of November 1, 2022, on confirmed cases of monkeypox reported in France and worldwide. The next update will be released on November 15, 2022.

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In early May 2022, cases of monkeypox with no direct link to travel to Central or West Africa—where the virus is present—or to people returning from such trips were reported in Europe and around the world. Since then, the disease has been subject to enhanced surveillance in France and across Europe, based on mandatory reporting, for which the form has been specifically updated.

As of 12:00 p.m. on November 1, 2022, 4,097 confirmed cases of monkeypox infection had been reported in France, representing an increase of 3 cases since the update on October 25.

The distribution of confirmed cases by region of residence (or by region of reporting when the region of residence is unknown) is shown in Figure 1. The Île-de-France region has the highest number of cases (2,497, or 60.9%), followed by Occitanie (312 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (285 cases), and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (268 cases); 22 cases reside abroad.

The vast majority of confirmed adult cases recorded to date are male, and 107 cases among those over 15 years of age (2.6%) are female. The proportion of female cases peaked in week 36, reaching 13.6% (16 cases out of 118), and then declined (to 7.5% of confirmed cases, or 3 cases from weeks 39 to 41, and 1 case in week 42).

Twelve (0.29%) children under 15 years of age have been reported as confirmed cases since May 2022. No new confirmed pediatric cases were reported this week. Confirmed adult cases have a median age of 36 years; 25% of adult cases are under 29 years of age, and 25% are between 43 and 81 years of age.

Among confirmed cases for which information is available, 92 (2.2%) were hospitalized due to their Monkeypox infection; this proportion has remained stable over time.

No deaths have been reported to date.

The distribution of cases by date of symptom onset (when known) is shown in Figure 2. The date of symptom onset for cases ranges from May 7 to October 15, 2022. Due to reporting delays, data from the most recent weeks have not been consolidated. The reports received do not always mention the date of symptom onset. As an alternative to this information, the distribution of cases by date of reporting is shown in Figure 3.

These updated data show that the peak in infections occurred in late June/early July and that the number of confirmed cases has been declining since then. To date, the weekly number of confirmed cases has fallen below the threshold of 10 cases. However, caution is warranted, as improved knowledge of the disease may lead to reduced healthcare utilization among better-informed populations. Several other countries, particularly in Europe, have observed similar trends in the number of new cases reported over the past three months.

Figure 1. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=4,075 cases) by region of residence (or by region of reporting when the region of residence is unknown), France, May–November 2022 (data as of November 1, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.)

Figure 1. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n=4 075 cas) par région de résidence (ou par région de signalement lorsque la région de résidence est inconnue), France, mai-novembre 2022 (données au 01/11/2022 – 12h00)

Figure 2. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n=3,021 cases, number of missing data points: 1,076) by week of symptom onset, France, May–November 2022 (data as of November 1, 2022 – 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 2. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n=3 021 cas, nombre de données manquantes : 1 076) par semaine de début des symptômes, France, mai-novembre 2022 (données au 01/11/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past few weeks (in light blue) is not yet fully finalized.

Figure 3. Biologically confirmed cases of monkeypox (n = 4,094 cases) by week of reporting, France, May–November 2022 (data as of November 1, 2022, at 12:00 p.m.).

Figure 3. Cas confirmés biologiquement de variole du singe (n= 4 094 cas) par semaine de signalement, France, mai-novembre 2022 (données au 01/11/2022 – 12h00).
The data for the past week (in light blue) are not yet fully finalized. The dip in reported cases observed in week 28 (July 11–17) can be attributed to the July 14 holiday.

Preventive vaccination against monkeypox

Regarding the rollout of the vaccination program, as of November 2, 2022, 172,912 doses of the third-generation vaccine have been delivered by the Agency to the territories.

As of November 2, 2022, the total number of doses administered is 132,742 (source: Ministry of Health and Prevention).

Since July 11, 2022, in addition to individuals who have had high-risk contact with an infected person, individuals meeting the criteria established by the HAS may schedule an appointment to get vaccinated nationwide:

  • Men who have sex with men and report having multiple sexual partners.

  • Transgender individuals reporting multiple sexual partners.

  • Sex workers.

  • Professionals working in venues where sexual services are provided.

Vaccination may also be considered on a case-by-case basis for healthcare professionals who care for infected individuals.

To learn more about vaccination and access to vaccination sites:

Monkeypox Info Service: a helpline to answer questions about monkeypox

The “Monkeypox Info Service” hotline is available daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the toll-free number 0 801 90 80 69 (free calls and services; anonymous and confidential). This service is responsible for promoting prevention messages and protective measures, providing information on symptoms, treatments, and vaccination, and offering advice and referrals to care services.

Since the hotline opened in mid-July, 8,226 calls have been handled by the Monkeypox Info Service.

  • 77 calls were handled in week 43 (compared to 68 the previous week), a slight increase from week 42.

  • A 7-point increase (18% vs. 11%) in the number of calls from people under 25, whose questions primarily concern symptoms.

  • The number of inquiries regarding testing continued to rise in week 43 (19% vs. 16% in week 42).

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