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Introduction of the mpox virus to the islands of the Southwest Indian Ocean (Société Française de Microbiologie , February 25, 2026)

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  • Introduction of the mpox virus to the islands of the Southwest Indian Ocean (Société Française de Microbiologie , February 25, 2026)

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    Introduction of the mpox virus to the islands of the Southwest Indian Ocean

    Olivia Vong

    February 25, 2026


    Introduction of the mpox virus to the islands of the Southwest Indian Ocean

    Ambroise Mercier 1,2 , Mélissa Bérot 3 , Sylvain Brisse 4 , Marie-Pierre Moiton 5 , Olivier Belmonte 1 , Laurent Souply 1 , Guillaume Miltgen 1,2,6
    1. Bacteriology Laboratory, Félix Guyon University Hospital, Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France.
    2. UMR Infectious Processes in Tropical Island Environments (PIMIT), CNRS 9192, INSERM U1187, IRD 249, University of Reunion Island, Saint-Denis, Reunion Island, France.
    3. Department of Security and Health Emergencies, Regional Health Agency of Mayotte, Mamoudzou, France.
    4. Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Pathogenic Bacteria Unit, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France.
    5. Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Reunion Island, Saint-Denis, Reunion Island, France.
    6. Regional Centre for Antibiotic Therapy (CRAtb) of Reunion Island, Saint-Pierre, France.
    Keywords : Mpox; epidemic; clade Ib; Indian Ocean; Reunion; Mayotte.

    Introduction

    Mpox, or mpox B, is a zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus ( mpox virus [MPV], formerly monkeypox virus ). This virus belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus (family Poxviridae ), which includes other members such as smallpox virus (variola virus [VARV]), vaccinia virus ( vaccinia virus [VACV]), and cowpox virus (CPV) (1). This zoonosis, less severe than smallpox, affects rodents (fungiur rats, giant pouched rats, dormice, etc. ) and primates (including humans) (2). Since the eradication of smallpox in 1977 through vaccination, MPV and CPV are the most studied orthopoxviruses due to their high epidemic potential (3).

    MPV, initially distributed in Africa, has been responsible for numerous mycobacterium tuberculosis epidemics worldwide. This virus was first discovered in a pet shop in Copenhagen in 1958 in primates (4). It was not until 1970 that it was described in humans, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (5). Since then, other cases have been reported in Africa. The first extra-African epidemic occurred in 2003 in the United States, where domestic prairie dogs were infected through contact with infected savannah worms from Ghana (6). In 2022, a new global epidemic occurred, characterized by human-to-human transmission via direct contact with the skin and mucous membrane lesions of infected patients, primarily men who have sex with men (MSM) (7).

    Phylogenetically, MPV is divided into two clades based on genomic sequences, with clade I from Central Africa exhibiting higher severity and mortality than clade II from West Africa (8). The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the different clades are summarized in Table 1 (9).

    The epidemic caused by MPV clade Ib emerged in 2023 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding countries (10). In 2024–2025, cases were reported outside of Africa, such as in the USA (11) and in Europe, with cases observed in travelers returning from endemic areas (12), as well as in autochthonous (13) and nosocomial (14) cases. Cases of MPV clade Ib infection were reported from December 2025 onwards in the territories of the Southwest Indian Ocean, originating from the coastal region of Mahajanga in Madagascar, where more than two hundred cases were confirmed (Figure 1, 15) . Other cases of measles were also reported outside of Madagascar, notably in the Comoros, where 16 cases were confirmed, primarily on Grande Comore (data as of 19/02/2026, 16).

    Table 1. Epidemiology of MPOX virus clades (adapted from Beiras et al. , 2025, 9)
    Clade Period Distribution Transmission Epidemics Population
    Ia 1970-2024 Central Africa Zoonotics Low incidence Children
    Ib 2023 DRC Interhuman Emergence in 2023 Adults and children
    IIa 1970-2018 West Africa Zoonotics Endemic in the USA in 2003 Adults and children
    IIb line A 2017-2024 Nigeria Zoonototics + interhuman Nigeria Epidemic 2017 Adults
    IIb line B 2022-2023 Worldwide distribution Sexual Global pandemic 2022 MSH*
    * Men having sex with men.

    On January 8, 2026, the first case was diagnosed in Mayotte. Nine additional cases have been confirmed since then (15). On January 22, 2026, the first case of medullary pulmonary encephalopathy (MPE) caused by clade Ib was confirmed in Réunion (17) . This patient, a resident of Réunion, was referred to the University Hospital of Réunion by his general practitioner after a stay in Madagascar. This introduction of MPV into the Indian Ocean territories was the subject of a Public Health Information Message (PHI) from the French Directorate General of Health (DGS) on February 5, 2026, describing a rapidly evolving epidemiological situation in Madagascar that could lead to imported cases throughout the country (18).

    Documented cases in Mayotte and Réunion

    In Mayotte

    Between January 8 and February 12, 2026, ten confirmed cases of medullary tuberculosis (MPO) were identified in Mayotte. Clade Ib was confirmed in the first cases by the National Reference Center (CNR) for Orthopoxviruses (French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge). All cases involved adults, and a history of sexual contact was reported in all cases. The individuals presented with polymorphic skin or mucocutaneous rashes. No severe cases were observed.

    Among the initial cases, three were linked to recent stays in Madagascar and were classified as imported. These introductions resulted in four secondary transmissions, including sexual and/or intrafamilial transmission. Furthermore, a transmission chain was identified from a secondary case, confirming local tertiary transmission. One autochthonous case, without a formally confirmed epidemiological link, was also identified.


    Figure 1. Geographic distribution of countries in which cases of autochthonous MPV clade Ib infections have been reported in the last six weeks. Data from 19/02/2026 from the World Health Organization (WHO, 15).

    Investigations were conducted around each case to identify at-risk contacts and implement control measures, including isolation and post-exposure vaccination, which was administered to thirteen people. A targeted preventive vaccination campaign, in line with the recommendations of the High Council for Public Health (HCSP), was also deployed across the country.

    In Reunion

    Four cases of pyoderma pigmentosum (PPP) were identified in Réunion as of February 20, 2026. The first case involved an individual returning from Madagascar, where they reported unprotected sex. The diagnosis was confirmed after the appearance of genital lesions suggestive of primary syphilis or MPV infection. The clinical course was favorable with symptomatic treatment and dermatological monitoring (teleconsultation). The second case also involved a patient returning from Madagascar, presenting with perineal skin lesions consistent with MPV infection. This second case generated two secondary contacts. No complications were observed in any of the four patients. All additional tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were negative. The four cases of infection were confirmed as MPV clade Ib by the Microbiology Laboratory of the University Hospital of Réunion.

    These cases led to the implementation of the usual control measures, including the isolation of the index case and secondary prophylaxis of contacts.

    In the laboratory

    The handling of samples for virological diagnostic purposes for the search for MPV is described in the operational sampling procedure of the Operational Coordination for Epidemic and Biological Risk (COREB) (19).

    Suspected patients presenting with clinical signs suggestive of MPV infection with high-risk exposure (return from travel to an endemic area, multiple sexual partners, MSM) are systematically tested. It is recommended to perform swabbing and/or biopsy of skin lesions on mucous membranes (20). For probable cases, testing is not systematic, but a mandatory reporting form (DO) must be submitted to the Regional Health Agency (ARS).

    MPV is a class 3 biological agent (listed in the Microorganisms and Toxins or MOT list, 21), requiring decontamination of samples and transport in triple packaging (category B biological substance, UN3373 standard, packing instruction P650) (20). Virological diagnosis is performed by nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) based on Orthopoxvirus -type PCR followed by confirmation by MPV-specific PCR or directly by MPV-specific PCR. If positive, typing (clade determination) by PCR is performed to discriminate the clade responsible for the lesions (Ia, Ib, or II), by targeting specific sequences of the viral genes G2R, C3L, and C1B (22).

    The risk of contamination from biological samples varies depending on the type of sample, as well as the transport and analysis conditions. There is a significant risk of contamination from skin and mucous membrane (SEM) and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) samples, whereas the risk is considered low for blood and urine samples that undergo standard handling procedures.

    Control, treatment and prevention strategies

    In France, the mpox response strategy is based on prevention (vaccination), detection and confirmation of cases by molecular biology (NAAT and sequencing), reporting and management of the index case and contacts (18).

    Vesicular eruptions that may suggest MPV infection should prompt consideration of other differential diagnoses such as hand-foot-and-mouth disease ( enterovirus ), chickenpox, herpes, secondary syphilis, and other non-infectious bullous dermatoses (24). Furthermore, systematic STI screening should be performed in patients who have unprotected sex (HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis serology, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis PCR on first - void urine) (25).

    Patient treatment is based on symptomatic management (level 1 to 3 analgesics) and, depending on infectious advice, specific treatment may be considered (tecovirimat, brincidofovir, cidofovir, immunoglobulins) depending on the patient's comorbidities (26).

    A prophylactic vaccine against MPV exists and consists of a third - generation smallpox vaccine (8). Pre-exposure prophylaxis against MPV is indicated for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals with multiple sexual partners, sex workers, professionals in sexual activity settings, and people living in the same household as at-risk individuals. The vaccine has demonstrated good efficacy in children who may develop severe forms of the disease (27). Post-exposure prophylaxis is also recommended around cases (26). Furthermore, the HCSP recommends vaccination for travelers to endemic areas (including Madagascar), namely healthcare workers, humanitarian workers at risk of exposure, people from areas of active transmission, and expatriates (depending on living conditions in the country) (28). For pregnant women, children, and immunocompromised patients, travel should be postponed, or if travel is maintained, vaccination should be offered to immunocompromised individuals, but based on current knowledge, it is not recommended for pregnant women and children. Due to the incomplete effectiveness of vaccination, other preventive measures rely on hand hygiene, isolation of cases, limiting contact with individuals likely to be infected with MPV, and avoiding sharing bedding, objects, or linens with these individuals (18).

    Conclusions and perspectives

    Numerous cases of pyoderma gangrenosum (PGB) linked to MPV clade Ib have recently been confirmed in the Southwest Indian Ocean region, requiring increased clinical vigilance and surveillance. This epidemiological situation is constantly evolving; to date (February 20, 2026), ten cases have been confirmed in Mayotte and four in Réunion. MPV infections are notifiable diseases that must be reported without delay to the Regional Health Agencies (ARS), without waiting for typing (23).

    The spread of the measles epidemic to these satellite islands of the African continent, located in the southwestern Indian Ocean, underscores the interconnectedness of these territories, linked to population flows facilitated in particular by air traffic. It is essential to organize a coordinated response in the area, in conjunction with local, regional (Regional Health Agencies - ARS), national (Directorate General of Health/Ministry of Health), and international (WHO/IOC or Indian Ocean Commission) health authorities. The regional epidemiological situation, combined with the epidemic potential of this virus, necessitates taking this progression of the epidemic into account in order to prevent its potential spread to mainland France.

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