Mpox: Sweden reports first case of variant outside Africa

Sweden’s public health agency has confirmed the first case of a contagious new variant of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outside the African continent.

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The individual contracted the infection while visiting an area in Africa where mpox Clade 1 is currently experiencing a significant outbreak.

Clade 1 is considered more severe, with a higher risk of mortality, and is primarily spread through close household contacts, often affecting children.

In contrast, Clade 2, which was previously detected in Sweden in 2022, is milder and mainly spread through sexual contact.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern, with at least 450 reported deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and further spread to central and east Africa.

Mpox is transmitted through close contact, including sex, skin-to-skin contact, and respiratory droplets, causing flu-like symptoms, skin lesions, and potentially fatal complications, with a mortality rate of 4%.”