First Case of Highly Contagious Mpox Detected Outside Africa

First case of highly contagious Mpox detected outside Africa. Learn about the spread and its potential global impact

Sweden Records First Case of Contagious New Mpox Variant Outside Africa

 

Stockholm, Sweden — Sweden's public health agency has confirmed the first case of a highly contagious new variant of mpox outside of Africa, marking a concerning development in the global spread of the virus.

 

The patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, became infected during a stay in an area of Africa currently grappling with a significant outbreak of mpox Clade 1, the more dangerous of the two known variants of the disease. This announcement comes just hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of mpox in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern.

 

The initial outbreak, which began in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has claimed over 450 lives and has since spread to areas of central and east Africa. The WHO’s declaration signals growing global concern over the virus's rapid transmission beyond its usual endemic regions.

 

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is primarily spread through close contact, including sexual interactions, skin-to-skin contact, and even through speaking or breathing in close proximity to an infected person. The virus manifests with flu-like symptoms, skin lesions, and can be fatal in about four percent of cases.

 

There are two main types of mpox: Clade 1 and Clade 2. While Clade 2 triggered a global health emergency in 2022, it caused relatively mild illness and had already appeared in Sweden. In contrast, Clade 1, which is driving the current African outbreak, is far more virulent and has traditionally spread more frequently within households, often affecting children.

 

Clade 1’s arrival in Europe highlights the need for continued vigilance and increased global cooperation in curbing the virus's spread, especially as it becomes a greater concern outside its traditional endemic zones.

 

Swedish health authorities are urging the public to remain alert to the symptoms of mpox and to take preventive measures, particularly when traveling to regions experiencing outbreaks. The WHO and global health bodies are coordinating efforts to monitor and contain the spread of the virus, as well as develop strategies to protect vulnerable populations.

 

As the situation evolves, Sweden’s health agency remains on high alert, and the global medical community will closely follow the case as it may foreshadow further international transmission of the dangerous Clade 1 variant.