Monkey pox: a first case detected in France

Laboratories are on alert in Europe. Within days, the virus causing monkeypox was identified in eight countries on the continent, including France in a 29-year-old man. Although it can be impressive, the disease is most often not serious. “It starts with a fever and a flu-like state. After two or three days, skin rashes appear that predominate on the face and limbs. They then become scabs and people recover.”explains Peter Tattevinhead of the infectious diseases department at the University Hospital of Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine).

Usually, the disease is transmitted to humans by primates and especially rodents, mainly in Africa. It is also transmitted from human to human via blood, bodily fluids and skin lesions. If symptoms appear, authorities recommend calling 15 and self-isolating.