France’s health ministry said the patient, a woman from the Brittany region, had not travelled to Central Africa but had contact with two individuals who had recently returned from the area.

"Inquiries are underway to find the origin of the infection and identify all people in contact," the ministry stated.

Mpox is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected animals, with human-to-human transmission occurring through close physical contact. Symptoms include fever, muscular aches, and large boil-like skin lesions. While many cases are mild, the disease can be deadly.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency over mpox in August 2024, renewing the alert on November 22 following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The clade 1b variant has been reported across 80 countries, including 19 in Africa. European nations have been advised to prepare for rapid action to contain the latest variant.

In response to the new variant, France’s health ministry has implemented recommended oversight measures to monitor and control the spread of the virus.

The WHO continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and preparedness to prevent further spread of the virus.

France's health ministry said the patient, a woman from the Brittany region, had not travelled to Central Africa but had contact with two individuals who had recently returned from the area.