France Reports First Case of New Monkeypox Variant
France has identified its first patient infected with the new monkeypox variant, the Ministry of Health announced today. The patient is a woman from Brittany, making France the third European country to report the virus.
The monkeypox outbreak originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year, where a vaccination campaign was initiated. The infection spreads through close physical contact and can cause symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and skin rash. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new variant an international emergency in August.
The French ministry stated that the woman contracted the virus after coming into contact with two individuals who had traveled to Central Africa. Health authorities are currently conducting source and contact tracing.
Germany and the UK previously reported their first cases in October. In the Netherlands, a mild variant of the virus was detected at a care facility in Eindhoven.
As the situation develops, we will continue to update you with the latest information.
Image: AFP