While Europe remains the epicenter of the epidemic, monkeypox is spreading outside the borders of the Old Continent.

A first case has thus been detected in New Caledonia and another in Russia.

In the first case, the health authorities have identified the risk contacts around the patient.

This is a person who consulted his general practitioner for a rash before being sent to the territorial hospital center to take samples, said the Directorate of Health and Social Affairs (Dass) in a letter sent to professionals. of health that AFP was able to consult.

New Caledonian health authorities prepared

"The contacts at risk around this case have been identified and have received specific instructions which make it possible to prevent the transmission of the virus", specified the Dass, which considers the risk of spread "very limited".

The health department also indicated that it had “prepared for the introduction of the virus into New Caledonia since the reporting of this alert, in conjunction with infectious disease doctors” and had sent doctors the patient care protocol.

Vaccines are expected very soon, says the same source.

A case from Europe to Russia

With regard to Russia, the health constable Rospotrebnadzor specifies that the patient was returning from Europe when he was diagnosed.

“The infection was detected in a young man returning from a trip through Europe who presented to a medical facility with a characteristic rash,” the organization said in a statement.

"The circle of people who have been in contact (with the patient) has been identified," added the same source.

Cases surge in Europe

Europe has been affected since May by an outbreak of cases of monkey pox, a virus endemic to countries in Central and West Africa.

Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and France are among the most affected countries.

The WHO Emergency Monkeypox Committee, tasked with helping to determine the severity of the health crisis, is due to meet no later than the week of July 18.

Faced with the rise in cases and the difficulties in tracing the chains of contamination, several countries have decided to extend vaccination, now offered preventively to the most exposed groups, in particular homosexuals.

The majority of the cases identified concern men having homosexual relations.

Health

Monkeypox: Having trouble finding a vaccination slot?

tell us

Health

Monkey pox: The first European cases would present different symptoms, according to a British study

  • World

  • monkey pox

  • epidemic

  • Virus

  • Vaccine

  • Vaccination