– Sweden reports its first case of the more contagious “clade 1” mpox, marking the first diagnosis of this variant in Europe.
– Health Minister Jakob Forssmed confirmed the case at a press conference, following a significant outbreak in Africa, particularly the DRC.
– The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global public health emergency again, attributing this to the outbreak of clade 1.
– Clade 1 is associated with more severe illness and higher mortality rates, unlike the previously reported clade 2 that took place in 2022.
– The infected individual contracted the virus while visiting an area in Africa currently experiencing a major outbreak.
– Despite the case, Sweden’s Public Health Agency reassures that the risk to the general population remains very low and the country is prepared to manage cases effectively.
– Mpox primarily spreads through close contact and presents symptoms like a rash, fever, and body aches, with serious risks for pregnant women.
– The ongoing spread of clade 1 in the DRC has led to over 15,000 infections and at least 548 deaths this year alone.
– The WHO’s alert highlights the rapid transmission of this variant, stressing the necessity for global cooperation in response efforts.
– UK health officials are preparing for potential cases of clade 1, ensuring clinics are equipped to identify and manage infections promptly.
– Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first discovered in humans in 1970, with vaccines available that were derived from smallpox vaccines.