Situation Update in France

As of 12:00 p.m. on October 25, 2022, 4,094 confirmed cases of Monkeypox infection had been reported in France, representing 10 additional cases since the October 18 update.

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 (2,496, or 60.9%), followed by Occitanie (312 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (284 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 increased through Week 36, when it reached 13.6% (16 out of 118 cases), and then decreased through Week 39 (with 7.5% of confirmed cases, or 3 out of 40). Since Week 39, the number of infected women has remained stable (approximately 3 cases per week). Twelve (0.29%) children under 15 years of age have been reported as confirmed cases since May 2022. Confirmed adult cases have a median age of 36 years; 25% of adult cases are under 29 years old, and 25% are between 43 and 81 years old. Among confirmed cases for which information is available, 91 (2.2%) were hospitalized due to 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 17, 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 presented 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. These trends are similar to those observed in syndromic data on emergency department visits for suspected Monkeypox (Oscour®). 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, are observing similar trends in the number of new cases reported over the past 3 months.

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 supporting 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, 8,149 calls have been handled by the Monkeypox Info Service.

• 68 calls were handled in week 42 (compared to 95 the previous week).

• The decline in the number of calls to the Monkeypox Info Service has continued at a more significant rate this week.

• The proportion of women calling the service increased sharply in week 42 (18% vs. 6% in week 41).

• There was also a higher number of calls regarding the risks of virus transmission (26% vs. 19% in week 41), particularly regarding the protective measures needed to avoid infection. This topic was raised by 42% of women contacting the service.

• Furthermore, concerns about possible infection have led to a gradual increase in conversations related to testing (16% vs. 13% in week 41).