Published on : 20/05/2022 – 11:37
The first monkeypox patient in France has been treated, health authorities announced on Friday. An investigation is underway to trace contact cases in order to limit the spread of this generally benign virus. Other cases of this rare disease have been confirmed in Europe and North America.
A first confirmed case of monkeypox was detected in Île-de-France, health authorities announced on Friday May 20.
He is a 29-year-old man with no history of travel to a country where the virus is circulating, said the Directorate General of Health and Public Health France. As soon as his infection was suspected, this person was taken care of and, in the absence of seriousness, he was isolated at his home.
An in-depth epidemiological investigation is being carried out by teams from Public Health France and the Île-de-France Regional Health Agency, in conjunction with the doctor who treated this patient.
The people who have been in close contact with this person are currently being counted. They will receive information from the health authorities on what to do in order to limit the spread of the virus.
Cases in Europe and North America
Monkeypox is a rare disease that originated in Africa. The virus can be transmitted by direct contact with broken skin or mucous membranes of a sick person, as well as by droplets. You can also become contaminated through contact with the patient’s environment (bedding, clothes, dishes, bath linen).
Since May 14, confirmed cases of infection with this virus not directly linked to travel to Central or West Africa have been reported in several countries in Europe, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Italy, as well as the United States and au Canada.
Suspected cases are being assessed in many countries and the situation is changing rapidly, according to health authorities.
Usually mild illness
Infection with the virus begins with a fever, which is often high and accompanied by headaches, body aches and fatigue. After about two days, a blistering rash appears, the formation of scabs and then scarring. Itching is common.
The bubbles are more concentrated on the face, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The mucous membranes are also affected, in the mouth and the genital area.
The incubation of the disease can range from five to 21 days. The fever phase lasts about one to three days. The disease, generally benign, most often heals spontaneously, after two to three weeks.
With AFP