For the first time in France, the clade 1b variant of the mpox virus was detected. This strain, widespread in certain central African countries, could be more dangerous.
- A case of clade 1b mpox virus contamination was detected in France for the first time.
- This strain of the virus is present in central Africa.
- In France, free vaccination is recommended for people at risk.
The mpox virus is still present in France and it is evolving. In a press release published on January 7, the Brittany Regional Health Agency announces that a case of clade 1b mpox has been detected in the territory for the first time. This variant, widespread in Central Africa, had been detected in only four European countries since the summer of 2024: Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom and Belgium.
Mpox: what is the clade 1b variant?
“The mpox virus (formerly ‘monkeypox’ and ‘monkey pox’) is an infectious disease caused by an orthopoxvirus which is characterized in particular by a skin rash which may be isolated or preceded or accompanied by a fever or lymph nodes.reminds him Ministry of Health. This virus is divided into two clades: the first, called clade 1, was originally present in the Congo basin in central Africa. Clade 2 was first detected in West Africa. “Epidemics of clade 1 mpox have been increasing in frequency in Africa since the beginning of 2023, and the total cases in 2024 are already higher than in 2023, completes the ministry. This clade is different from the one responsible for the mpox epidemic in 2022 in Europe and particularly in France (clade 2).” Faced with the high circulation of clade 1 in Central Africa during the summer of 2024, the World Health Organization has triggered an international alert. “Currently, clade I virus is known to cause more severe symptoms than clade II virus, and even death, in populations where it is endemic, underlines theWHO. However, due to differences in the characteristics of past outbreaks, such as affected population groups, it is difficult to draw a definitive conclusion.“Scientific research is being carried out to understand the effects of this new strain.
Should we fear a spread of clade 1b mpox in France?
This first case detected in Brittany concerns a person who has not traveled to areas where this virus is endemic. “However, this person was in contact with two people returning from Central Africa; investigations are underway to find the origin of the contamination and identify all the contact persons at risk around the diagnosed case.“, specifies the ARS of Brittany. For the Ministry of Health, this type of case, considered as “sporadic“, born “does not modify the analysis of risk of spread to the general population estimated as low by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control”.
What is the prevention strategy for the mpox virus in France?
To limit the spread of the virus, free vaccination is recommended for people at risk. These include men who have sex with men with multiple partners, trans people with multiple partners, sex workers, professionals in places of sexual consumption and “partners or people sharing the same living space as those at high risk of exposure mentioned above”indicates the ARS. She adds that people with close ties to Central African countries where the mpox virus is actively circulating, such as those regularly visiting family or aid workers, can also get vaccinated before their trip. In total, 215 cases of mpox were detected in France in 2024.
