Sweden announced Thursday it had registered the first case of the more contagious new variant of mpox outside Africa, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
In a statement, Sweden’s Public Health Agency said: “A person who sought care in Stockholm has been diagnosed with mpox caused by the clade I variant. It is the first case caused by clade I to be diagnosed outside the African continent.”
This announcement came hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the outbreak of mpox virus in several African countries represents “a public health emergency of international concern.”
According to Sweden’s Public Health Agency, the person in Sweden caught the virus during a stay in an area of Africa that currently suffers a major outbreak of mpox Clade I variant.
The statement also added that the patient “has received care,” confirming that Sweden “has a preparedness to diagnose, isolate and treat people with mpox safely.”
The current mpox outbreak started in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has spread to 13 neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Earlier this week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the mpox outbreaks a public health emergency and called for international help to stop the virus’ spread.
The Africa CDC said that, so far, there have been over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths. Hence, the mpox cases have increased by 160% and deaths have surged by 19%, compared to the same period last year.
Officials at the Africa CDC noted that children under 15 accounted for about 70% of cases in Congo, and 85% of deaths. The mpox virus spreads via close contact with infected people. It causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills and body aches. In more serious cases, it causes lesions on the body.
