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During the annual Fête de la Musique on 21 June, a national music festival celebrated across France, 145 people reported being pricked with needles in public venues, according to the French Interior Ministry. Among these reports, 21 incidents occurred in the Île-de-France region, including 13 in Paris.

The cluster of reported cases has raised public concern and led to calls to the Sida Info Service (SIS), France’s national HIV/AIDS helpline. In response, the organisation issued a public statement to address misconceptions and provide accurate information to both the public and clinicians.

In an interview with Medscape's French edition, Arame Mbodje, MD, medical director of the SIS Association in Montreuil, France, noted that while many individuals contacted the organisation with concerns about potential infection following these syringe-related incidents, the route of exposure did not pose a risk for HIV transmission. She emphasised that post-exposure prophylaxis is not warranted in such cases.

HIV is typically transmitted through sexual contact, exposure to contaminated blood (eg, shared needles), or from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery.

Although the risk for hepatitis B virus transmission is low, it may be present in individuals who are not vaccinated. "In such cases, vaccination is recommended," said Mbodje.

Unquantified Phenomenon

“This is not the first time we have faced this situation,” Mbodje said. In 2022, reports of injection incidents in nightclubs, bars, and festivals emerged, but the true scale is difficult to determine. 

“We only know the figures for those who filed complaints,” she said.

In 2022, more than 2000 complaints were filed involving syringes, compasses, sewing needles, or other sharp objects, compared to 36 in 2023. Identifying suspects has been challenging, and most investigations were dismissed when the toxicology results revealed no detectable substances.

“I work in the forensic unit, and despite numerous tests, we found nothing,” Mbodje said.

“Many reported episodes of discomfort were due to other causes, such as anxiety or alcohol consumption. Some individuals had mosquito bites and were mistaken for injections. We also noted rumours on social media about so-called biting challenges involving women, although none have been substantiated. Such narratives may contribute to shared delusional thinking or fuel collective psychosis.”

Stay Together, Stay Safe

Festive gatherings make it easier for needle pricks to go unnoticed. “Large crowds make it easier for someone to prick another person without being noticed, particularly at music festivals or any other attended gatherings,” she said.

For healthcare professionals, the immediate priority is to reassure the affected individuals and provide appropriate clinical care.

“Those who report being pricked should be informed that these incidents do not pose a risk for HIV transmission. It is important to assess their hepatitis B vaccination status and offer immunisation if needed. Concerns regarding possible drug-facilitated assaults should also be addressed. To date, toxicology tests have found no evidence of substance use, and no related cases of physical or sexual assault have been reported. Nonetheless, individuals should be encouraged to report the incident to the police,” she explained.

“It is not practical to advise people to avoid festivals or remain constantly vigilant, as that would limit their fun,” she said. According to her, the best approach is not to stay alone and stick with people you know in crowded environments.

The expert reported no relevant conflicts of interest.

This story was translated from Medscape’s French edition.