Mpox: we must prepare, “but we are very far from being faced with a problem like with Covid”, says an expert in infectious diseases

According to the head of the infectious diseases department at Henri-Mondor Hospital in Créteil, even if “there is always a risk that the (MPOX) epidemic will spill over, there are no signals” in Europe.

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A poster for prevention against mpox, formerly called "monkey pox"in a screening center in Montpellier. (PASCAL GUYOT / AFP)

“I think it’s a bit of an exaggeration to suggest that there might be a major problem.” with mpox in France, estimates immunologist Jean-Daniel Lelièvre on Franceinfo on Tuesday August 20, “which does not mean that we should not prepare, but we are very far from being faced with a problem like we saw with Covid.”

The head of the infectious diseases department at Henri-Mondor Hospital in Créteil believes that for the moment, “The disease is affecting Africa, there is always a risk that the epidemic will spill over, but when we see the evolution of the number of cases in Europe, there are absolutely no signals.”

The High Authority for Health (HAS), of which he is a member as an expert, will “review its recommendations” And “to once again target populations that should be vaccinated in the coming days and weeks.” “In 2022, we targeted the people most at risk of this infection, that is, people who have multiple sexual partners, and it is very likely that we will not change these recommendations.”explains the scientist.

“We must follow these recommendations to be prepared, and not forget that vaccination is an important element of prevention.”he concludes, “and people who have relationships with many sexual partners should strengthen prevention, be careful, and if in doubt, contact a doctor.” “In addition to vaccination, we need to have less risky practices,” summarizes Jean-Daniel Lelièvre.


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