Swedish health officials have confirmed the country’s first case of a highly infectious form of mpox, initially identified in eastern Congo. The announcement came just a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreaks in Congo and other African regions a global emergency. The Swedish public health agency reported that the patient sought medical care in Stockholm after returning from Africa.
“In this case, a person has been infected during a stay in the part of Africa where there is a major outbreak of (the more infectious mpox),” the agency stated.
Magnus Gisslén, a state epidemiologist with the Swedish health agency, mentioned that the individual has been treated and provided with “rules of conduct.” Officials emphasized that the presence of mpox in the country does not pose a significant risk to the general population, estimating the risk as “very low.” They cautioned that occasional imported cases might still occur.
Earlier this year, scientists identified a new and deadlier form of mpox in a Congolese mining town. This strain, which can be fatal for up to 10% of those infected, is feared to spread more easily. Mpox primarily transmits through close contact with infected individuals, including sexual contact.
The WHO reported over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in more than a dozen African countries this year, surpassing last year’s numbers. Notably, more than 96% of these cases and deaths have occurred in Congo.
Given the advanced healthcare resources available in Sweden and other affluent nations, scientists believe that if new outbreaks linked to the Congo strain are detected, transmission could be curtailed relatively swiftly.
“In this case, a person has been infected during a stay in the part of Africa where there is a major outbreak of (the more infectious mpox),” the agency stated.
Magnus Gisslén, a state epidemiologist with the Swedish health agency, mentioned that the individual has been treated and provided with “rules of conduct.” Officials emphasized that the presence of mpox in the country does not pose a significant risk to the general population, estimating the risk as “very low.” They cautioned that occasional imported cases might still occur.
Earlier this year, scientists identified a new and deadlier form of mpox in a Congolese mining town. This strain, which can be fatal for up to 10% of those infected, is feared to spread more easily. Mpox primarily transmits through close contact with infected individuals, including sexual contact.
The WHO reported over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in more than a dozen African countries this year, surpassing last year’s numbers. Notably, more than 96% of these cases and deaths have occurred in Congo.
Given the advanced healthcare resources available in Sweden and other affluent nations, scientists believe that if new outbreaks linked to the Congo strain are detected, transmission could be curtailed relatively swiftly.
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