In a significant development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported the first case of the monkeypox variant, known as mpox, outside of Africa. The infection was confirmed in Sweden, marking a concerning expansion of the outbreak that has been declared a global public health emergency.

Yesterday, the WHO officially declared mpox, also known as monkeypox, as a global public health emergency due to its severe implications. Today, Sweden confirmed the first case outside of Africa of the more dangerous clade I variant of mpox, which has been spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023.

According to Sweden's public health agency, a person who sought medical care in Stockholm has tested positive for mpox caused by the clade I variant. This makes it the first case caused by clade I to be diagnosed outside the African continent. The infected individual acquired the virus during their visit to the African region experiencing a major mpox outbreak, as stated by state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslen.

The patient has already received appropriate medical care, ensuring effective isolation and treatment. Sweden has the necessary preparedness to diagnose, isolate, and treat individuals safely, stated the public health agency. Furthermore, they emphasized that the presence of a mpox patient in the country does not pose an increased risk to the general population, as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) considers the current risk to be very low.

The ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has already claimed the lives of 548 people since the beginning of this year. This prompted the WHO to declare it a public health emergency of international concern just yesterday. Monkeypox, which was first identified in humans in 1970 in what is now the DRC, is an infectious disease transmitted to humans from infected animals. However, it can also be spread through close physical contact between humans.

Monkeypox is characterized by symptoms such as fever, muscular aches, and the development of large boil-like skin lesions. With the identification of the clade I variant in Sweden, global efforts to contain and prevent the further spread of mpox become crucial. Surveillance measures and enhanced public health responses will play a vital role in controlling the outbreak and safeguarding public health worldwide.

As the situation continues to evolve, WHO, along with national and global health authorities, will closely monitor the mpox outbreak and work collaboratively to minimize its impact and protect populations across countries.