Monkeypox continues to spread slowly in several countries around the world, including France, where 7 cases have been confirmed. If the scientific authorities want to be reassuring, Public Health France has on the other hand announced measures to limit the spread as much as possible.
While several cases of the “Monkeypox” virus, responsible for monkeypox, have been detected, it is the unusual nature of the spread that currently intrigues health authorities, since they are “not imported from countries that usually report cases” , indicates Public Health France this Wednesday, May 25.
Atypical situation
“To date, in Europe, these cases have occurred mainly, but not exclusively, in men who have sex with menwith no direct link to people returning from endemic areas,” added the French health authorities.
Thus, in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus, in this situation described as “atypical”, SPF has implemented an isolation protocol for infected persons, probable cases or suspected cases, adding that suspected cases must be reported to the ARS and that all confirmed or probable cases in France must be subject to mandatory reporting.
Depending on the case, Public Health France recommends self-isolation. We take stock of the recommendations issued by the national agency.
For infected people
People who have been contaminated and whose test is positive must complete a mandatory declaration and an investigation to determine the origin of the contamination will be carried out.
Regarding the conduct to be followed, “confirmed cases must isolate themselves at home for a period of 3 weeks from their date of onset of signs if their clinical condition does not require hospitalization. A work stoppage or a full-time telework authorization can be issued to them by their attending physician”, indicates SPF.
They must also isolate themselves from people in their homes, must wear a mask, not have physical contact with other people and “must not share their clothes, linens and bedding or dishes with others. people”.
For “probable cases”
Public Health France defines probable cases as people who present with “evocative blistering eruption of MKP2, whether or not preceded by a fever felt or measured above 38°C” and who in the 3 weeks before the onset of these signs has either been in high-risk contact with an infected person, has returned from an endemic area or who has sex with men or multiple or anonymous sex (regardless of orientation).
For these people, isolation for 3 weeks is also requested, from the onset of clinical signs. and a work stoppage or a telework authorization can be issued under the same conditions as mentioned above.
Probable cases will also have to list the contact cases at risk (see below) with the ARS to allow contact tracing.
For “suspect cases”
Unlike the “probable case”, the person considered as a “suspected case” presents many symptoms, but would not have been in the situations of probable exposure to the disease listed above.
Suspected cases should get tested and isolate themselves at home while awaiting the result.
For “contact cases”
People called contact cases are those who have had close contact with an infected person or probable case. By “unprotected direct physical contact”, SPF means any contact with damaged skin, bodily fluids, sexual acts, medical caresharing a toilet utensil or contact with textiles or dirty dishes or unprotected contact within two meters for three hours.
[#Monkeypox] Monkeypox virus infection is not known as an STI, but direct contact with broken skin during sex facilitates transmission. pic.twitter.com/qDTxGfY7rY
– SantépubliqueFrance (@SantePublicFr) May 25, 2022
For these people, SPF does not recommend isolation in the absence of symptoms. In contrast, vaccination will be offered“ideally within 4 days after the risky contact and at most 14 days later” according to Public Health France.
They must also monitor their temperature, which may appear before the rashes, and mark the beginning of contagiousness.