First case in Europe since WHO outbreak declaration: Mpox detected in Sweden
Sweden reports the first case of a new strain of monkeypox (illustrative photo GettyImages)
In Sweden, the first case of monkeypox (mpox) has been detected. This occurred after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of this disease a global health emergency, informs The Telegraph.
"We have now had confirmation that we have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called Clade 1," said Swedish Minister of Health and Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed at a press conference.
Stockholm emphasized that the patient contracted the new strain of the virus in Africa. They are now under medical supervision and receiving treatment. The country’s public health agency stated that Sweden is prepared to safely diagnose, isolate, and treat people with mpox.
According to the Swedish Public Health Agency, the new Clade 1 strain is more dangerous due to a "higher risk of a more severe course of the disease and higher mortality."
The news outlet notes that mpox is mostly transmitted through close physical contact, as well as during a conversation or breathing near another person. It causes a characteristic bumpy rash with pus-filled lesions, fever, pain, and aches, and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
Outbreaks of diseases worldwide
Yesterday, it was reported that the WHO has declared the monkeypox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African countries a global health emergency.
Earlier, we reported that the WHO has called on the world to prepare for a new Disease X.
