Sweden Reports First Case of More Dangerous Mpox Clade Outside Africa

Sweden’s public health agency has confirmed the first case of a more dangerous strain of mpox, known as Clade 1, outside of Africa. The infected individual contracted the virus while staying in a region of Africa currently experiencing a major outbreak of this particular clade.

The news follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration of a public health emergency of international concern due to the spread of mpox in parts of Africa. The initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo led to at least 450 deaths, with the virus subsequently spreading to other regions in Central and East Africa.

Olivia Wigzell, the acting head of the Swedish public health agency, emphasized that the infected person, who sought care in the Stockholm area, does not pose a risk to the broader population.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is typically transmitted through close contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and even close conversation. The virus causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, with a mortality rate of around 4%. It is most prevalent in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa, where thousands of cases are reported annually.