Mélina Facchin, edited by Laura Laplaud
modified to
11:42 a.m., July 25, 2022
The monkeypox epidemic worries the WHO. This virus affects homosexuals in the vast majority: 1,500 cases have already been identified in France and even if no victim is deplored, the authorities want to encourage preventive vaccination. Europe 1 went to the vaccination center of the Nancy hospital which has just opened its doors.
Monkeypox begins to gain ground in France. Nearly 1,000 cases have been identified in recent weeks. In Europe, contamination has tripled in the past 15 days and is beginning to worry the World Health Organization (WHO), which has triggered the maximum alert. So even if it is not (for the moment) a pandemic like that of Covid-19, the authorities encourage the people most concerned to be vaccinated. Europe 1 went to the vaccination center at Nancy hospital, which just opened this week.
Certain populations particularly affected
Nicolas decided to get vaccinated against monkey pox. It’s not just a contact, but prevention is better than cure. “I have a Parisian friend who had it. He didn’t like it at all and as I was coming for an HIV prevention visit, she offered to have me vaccinated,” he says. “As I’m in target, might as well do it.”
Certain populations are indeed particularly affected, explains Doctor Laurence Boyer, from the infectious diseases department of the Nancy hospital. “It is more specifically men who have sex with men, transsexuals and multiple partners and all personnel who work in the world of prostitution.
Strict isolation of 21 days in the event of contamination
Monkeypox is highly contagious and the symptoms are fairly easy to spot. “It starts out as little raised pimples. There’s going to be some cloudy fluid on the surface of those pimples and when the scab falls off, we’ll be contagious,” she continues. “When you are infected with the virus, you are entitled to strict isolation for 21 days.”
However, the virus is very rarely fatal. No death recorded for the moment in France. If you think you have contracted monkey pox, call the hospital before coming to avoid contamination.