Monkeypox virus: Sweden confirms first case of Mpox amidst growing global concerns
WHO has once again declared mpox a global public health emergency, marking the second such declaration in two years
Mpox viral infection: Sweden has confirmed its first case of mpox (monkeypox), a viral infection that spreads primarily through close contact. The announcement was made on Thursday by Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed during a press conference. The case identified in Sweden is of a more severe type known as Clade I, which has raised alarms globally due to its potential impact.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has once again declared mpox a global public health emergency, marking the second such declaration in two years. This renewed emergency status follows a significant outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has rapidly spread to other countries, particularly in Africa.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is typically a mild illness characterised by flu-like symptoms and skin lesions filled with pus. However, in rare cases, it can be fatal. The disease is primarily transmitted through close contact, which includes both non-sexual and sexual interactions. The current outbreak in the DRC has seen the emergence of a new variant, Clade Ib, which appears to have a higher transmissibility rate compared to the endemic Clade I.
The situation in the DRC is particularly concerning due to the rapid spread of this new variant, Clade Ib, which has now reached neighbouring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. These nations had not previously reported cases of mpox, highlighting the ease with which this variant is spreading. The WHO has expressed deep concern over the potential for further transmission both within Africa and globally.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised the seriousness of the situation during a briefing on Wednesday. "The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its spread to neighbouring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further transmission within Africa and beyond is deeply concerning," he stated.