For the moment, no cases of Mpox have been declared in France. But for the resigning Minister Delegate for Health, Frédéric Valletoux, “sporadic cases” could appear “soon”. He nevertheless said he was confident in the health system’s capacity to deal with them.
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Mpox virus: fear of a new epidemic
Frédéric Valletoux wanted to be reassuring. In an interview with the Tribune Dimanchethe resigning Minister Delegate for Health has indicated that there is a strong chance that “sporadic cases” of Mpox appear in France. “France is not isolated. So yes, we expect, like all European countries, declared cases, in particular due to the comings and goings with the affected areas of Africa”he argued.
Vaccination reserved for the “most exposed public”
While a first case was discovered Thursday in Sweden in a person who had been to Africa, where the epidemic, which started in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is spreading, no cases have yet been reported in France. The resigning Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced Friday that the health system was being placed on lockdown. “state of maximum vigilance”following the WHO which triggered its highest level of alert in the face of the rapid spread of this new, more lethal strain of the virus.
However, Frédéric Valletoux expressed his confidence in the health system’s ability to cope. “To date, we have a health system that allows safe care and limits the spread, as was the case in 2022.”he assured. He also recalled that the mode of diffusion of the virus being different from that of Covid, the responses from the government would be different.
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Vaccination is particularly limited to “most exposed public”explained the resigning minister.“It is too early to be certain about the level of effectiveness of the vaccines” on the new variant, Frédéric Valletoux also specified that“Today, we have robust stocks that allow for an appropriate response. We have more than in 2022 and we can order quickly if necessary.”
Awareness of “publics most exposed to this risk through appropriate associations and networks” is planned. Finally, the authorities will “warn all persons who have travelled to the affected areas, upon departure and arrival of each flight”. If no special measures are announced, vigilance is therefore required.
A. Lo.
