Sweden Confirms First Mpox Case Outside Africa After WHO Global Health Emergency Declaration

Sweden has confirmed its first case of mpox a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, CNN reports.

The infected individual contracted the virus while traveling in an African region experiencing a significant mpox outbreak, according to Olivia Wigzell, director-general of the Swedish Public Health Agency. He marks the first mpox case outside Africa.

Adding to the concern, the case in Sweden is of the more serious Clade I strain of mpox.

“We have also had confirmation that we have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called Clade I,” Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed said.

The WHO declared the global health emergency after a mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo spread to neighboring countries with a more severe strain of the disease. Mpox is spread through close contact and can cause flu-like symptoms, rash, and other complications.

The infected individual in Sweden is receiving care and following the health agency’s recommendations. While this is the first confirmed case of Clade I mpox outside of Africa, health authorities are monitoring the situation closely and urging vigilance to prevent further spread, according to the report.