France identifies first case of new mpox variant, AFP reports

FILE PHOTO: Test tubes labelled "Mpox virus positive" are seen in this illustration taken August 20, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo

PARIS (Reuters) - France has identified its first case of the new mpox variant, news agency AFP reported on Monday, citing a statement from the country's health ministry.

The patient had not traveled to Central Africa, where the new form of the virus originated but was in contact with two people who had returned from that region, AFP reported, citing the ministry.