Europe: Sweden Records First Case of Contagious New Mpox Variant
Sweden’s public health agency has reported the first case of a new, highly contagious variant of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outside the African continent. The individual was infected while in a region of Africa currently experiencing a significant outbreak of the Clade 1 mpox variant.
This announcement comes just hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern. The ongoing outbreak has claimed at least 450 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo and continues to spread across central and east Africa.
Olivia Wigzell, the acting head of Sweden’s public health agency, reassured the public that while the infected person is receiving care in the Stockholm area, there is no immediate risk to the broader population.
Mpox, transmitted through close contact—including skin-to-skin contact and respiratory droplets—causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. The disease can be fatal, with a mortality rate of 4%.
There are two known variants of mpox: Clade 1 and Clade 2. The Clade 2 variant, responsible for a 2022 public health emergency, was relatively mild, with 300 cases already reported in Sweden. However, Clade 1 is associated with more severe symptoms and a higher mortality rate. The Swedish health agency noted that Clade 1 spreads more easily within households and often affects children, while the milder variant is primarily transmitted through sexual contact.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control highlighted that symptoms usually appear 6-13 days after infection, with most individuals recovering fully after experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. However, immunocompromised individuals remain at greater risk.
Public Health Alert: Sweden’s first case of the new Clade 1 mpox variant underscores the need for continued vigilance and awareness as global health officials respond to this emerging threat.
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