Sweden has confirmed its first case of the more contagious and lethal variant of mpox, marking a significant moment as the virus spreads beyond Africa for the first time.
The infected individual contracted the virus while in an African region experiencing a significant outbreak, according to Olivia Wigzell, Director-General of Sweden’s public health agency, who made the announcement during a press conference.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had earlier declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following a severe outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak has now extended its reach to other countries, raising global concerns about the virus’s potential spread.
“The emergence of a case on the European continent could spur rapid international spread of mpox,” warned Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert and professor at Georgetown Law in Washington. He added, “A case in Sweden most likely means dozens of undetected cases in Europe.”
Wigzell reassured the public that the infected individual in Sweden has received appropriate care and has been following the health agency’s guidelines.
However, experts like Dr. Brian Ferguson of the University of Cambridge have voiced concern. He noted that while the case in Sweden is troubling, it is not unexpected due to the severity and extent of the outbreak in Africa.
“There will likely be more here and in other parts of the world as there are currently no mechanisms in place to stop imported cases of mpox happening,” he stated.
In response to the growing threat, China has announced new measures to curb the potential spread of mpox within its borders. Starting Friday, the country will implement a six-month screening process for individuals and goods entering China. The customs administration urged travelers from affected countries or those who have been in contact with mpox cases to “take the initiative to declare to customs when entering the country.” Additionally, vehicles, containers, and other items from areas with reported mpox cases will undergo sanitation procedures, the statement added.
The situation in Africa remains dire, with WHO reporting over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths across more than a dozen countries this year alone, surpassing last year’s numbers. Notably, more than 96% of the cases and fatalities have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscoring the epicenter of this alarming outbreak.
Earlier this year, scientists identified a new, more dangerous strain of mpox in a Congolese mining town, which has proven to be fatal in up to 10% of cases. The ease of transmission, primarily through close contact including sexual activity, has heightened fears of a broader global spread as the virus reaches new territories.
