Swedish health officials have confirmed the first case of a person infected with the more infectious form of mpox, initially observed in eastern Congo. This announcement comes shortly after the World Health Organization declared the ongoing outbreaks in Africa to be a global emergency.
The infected individual sought medical care in Stockholm, as stated by the Swedish public health agency. The agency clarified that the person contracted the virus during a recent visit to the region in Africa experiencing a significant mpox outbreak.
State epidemiologist Magnus Gisslen mentioned that the patient has received treatment and been provided with necessary guidelines. Despite this development, Swedish authorities reassured the public that the risk to the general population remains minimal. They emphasized that while occasional imported cases may occur, the overall risk is deemed very low.
Earlier this year, scientists reported the emergence of a more virulent strain of mpox in a Congolese mining town, raising concerns about its potential for increased transmission. Mpox primarily spreads through close contact with infected individuals, including sexual contact.
According to the World Health Organization, there have been over 14,000 cases and 524 fatalities across more than a dozen African countries this year, surpassing last year's figures. The vast majority of cases and deaths, over 96%, have been reported in Congo.
Given the robust resources available in countries like Sweden, experts believe that swift containment measures could effectively halt the spread of mpox in the event of new outbreaks linked to Congo.
