The monkeypox virus (or “Monkeypox”) has been found in the semen of the patients.
- In case of appearance of symptoms of monkeypox (fever and rash with blisters), you must contact the SAMU.
- He will direct you to a medical consultation if necessary.
The monkeypox virus can be present in the semen of infected patients and can therefore be transmitted through sexual intercourse. This is what Italian researchers have just noticed, published in Eurosurveillance, the European journal on infectious diseases.
Travels
Specifically, the researchers detected the Monkeypox virus in the seminal fluid of 3 patients. “All the patients we have taken care of have traveled during the first two weeks of May 2022: three took part in a major event on the island of Gran Canary and one traveled to prostitute themselves”, write the scientists.
Monkeypox is a viral infection usually rare in Europe that manifests with fever, rashes and swollen lymph nodes. The disease, generally mild, can nevertheless be fatal if left untreated, especially in young people.
Vaccination
On referral from the Ministry of Health, HAS specifies the vaccine strategy to be implemented around a confirmed case of monkey pox (Monkeypox) for two population groups: first-timers, i.e. people who were vaccinated against smallpox in childhood, and children.
“The HAS thus recommends administering a single dose of vaccine to people who are contacts at risk and vaccinated against smallpox before 1980, except for immunocompromised people”, can we read on his website. In addition, public health experts suggest that the vaccination of children exposed to the virus and likely to develop a severe form of the disease can be considered on a case-by-case basis, by specialists only and after a strict assessment of the benefits and risks.
How many cases in France?
As of 21 June 2022 at 2:00 p.m., 277 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported in France: 195 in Ile-de-France, 16 in Occitanie, 14 in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 16 in New Aquitaine, 12 in Hauts -de-France, 12 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, 6 in Normandy, 1 in Centre-Val de Loire, 1 in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 1 in Grand-Est and 3 in Brittany.
“Among these cases, a first female case has been confirmed, whose mode of transmission is under investigation, and all the others are male”, specifies Public Health France. “Of the 248 cases confirmed as of June 20, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., 243 have been investigated, one remains unreachable and 4 are under investigation”, add the experts.
Among the cases investigated, 78% presented a genito-anal rash, 75% an eruption on another part of the body, 70% a fever and 69% lymphadenopathy. 11 are immunocompromised, but none died.
