- First case of Mpox reported in Europe
For the first time, there is a case of Mpox outside the African continent, where the disease has recently been on the rise. Swedish authorities have confirmed a case of the new Klade I variant in the Stockholm region. "We have now received confirmation that we have a serious variant of Mpox in Sweden," said Health Minister Jakob Forssmed.
The infected person contracted the virus during a stay in an African region where there has been a large outbreak of the disease, said Olivia Wigzell, director general of the Swedish Health Authority, at a press conference on Thursday. The World Health Organization (WHO) is in contact with Swedish authorities to support the country in its first case of Mpox variant Klade Ib.
Mpox was previously known as monkeypox because it was first identified in monkeys. The virus is related to the classic smallpox virus and causes skin rash, fever, and muscle aches. There are two vaccines, but nowhere near enough doses in Africa. Infections of Klade I had previously only been observed in Central Africa, including particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
Swedish Mpox case considered safe by authorities
However, the Swedish Health Authority is not yet concerned about the case. Wigzell said there is no risk that the case will affect the wider population. "The case itself does not currently require any further infection control measures, but we are of course monitoring the situation closely," said Wigzell at the press conference with the Social Minister.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also continues to assess the infection risk as very low.
Just on Wednesday, the WHO had sounded the highest alarm for the second time in two years due to the spread of the viral disease in Africa. According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, it is a health emergency of international concern. Experts believe that Klade I may be more infectious than previous variants and cause more severe infection.
The reason is now an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has also spread to neighboring countries. The outbreak in the Congo began with the spread of an endemic strain known as Klade I. The new Klade Ib variant seems to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact.
The infected individual in Sweden contracted the Mpox virus during their visit to an African region experiencing a significant outbreak of the disease. This is the first confirmed case of the Klade I variant outside of Africa, as reported by Swedish authorities.
