France Reports Its First Case of Mpox Variant
France has officially reported its initial case of a new variant of the mpox virus, as announced by the health ministry on Monday. This development comes shortly after the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated its highest alert status regarding the ongoing epidemic.
The confirmed case involves the clade 1b variant, detected in the Brittany region of western France. The health authorities have stated that appropriate monitoring measures have been put in place to address the situation.
Mpox, formerly referred to as monkeypox, is a viral infection related to smallpox. It is primarily transmitted to humans from infected animals but can also spread between people through close physical contact. Symptoms typically include fever, muscle pain, and distinctive skin lesions resembling boils, which in some cases can lead to severe health complications.
The WHO declared an emergency due to the mpox virus in August and extended this declaration on November 22, following a notable outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The health ministry has clarified that the individual diagnosed with the virus had not traveled to central Africa, an area where multiple variants of the virus have been documented. However, this person had been in contact with two individuals who had recently returned from central Africa. Investigations are currently underway to determine the source of the infection and to trace all individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case.
As of this year, the clade 1b variant and other mpox strains have been reported in around 80 countries, including 19 in Africa, as noted by the WHO. The organization has urged European countries to be ready for swift interventions to manage the emergence of this latest variant.
