Sweden has confirmed its first case of the more contagious variant of mpox, a viral infection that spreads through close contact, marking the first time the virus has been detected outside Africa.
Olivia Wigzell, director-general at the Swedish public health agency, announced during a press conference that the infected individual had contracted the virus while in a part of Africa experiencing a significant outbreak.
On the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to other countries.
Wigzell confirmed that the infected person in Sweden has received care and is following the health agency’s recommendations.
In response to the global situation, China announced on Friday that it would begin screening people and goods entering the country for mpox over the next six months. China’s customs administration stated that travelers from countries with mpox outbreaks, those who have been in contact with mpox cases, or those displaying symptoms should “take the initiative to declare to customs when entering the country.” Additionally, vehicles, containers, and items from areas with mpox cases must be sanitized.
Earlier this year, scientists reported the emergence of a new, more deadly variant of mpox in a Congolese mining town, which can kill up to 10% of those infected. They warned that this variant might spread more easily. Mpox primarily spreads through close contact with infected individuals, including sexual contact.
The WHO has reported over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths across more than a dozen African countries this year, surpassing last year’s figures. The Democratic Republic of Congo accounts for over 96% of these cases and deaths.
Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert and professor at Georgetown Law in Washington, warned that the emergence of a case in Sweden could lead to rapid international spread of mpox. “A case in Sweden most likely means dozens of undetected cases in Europe,” he said.
Dr. Brian Ferguson of the University of Cambridge expressed concern about the case in Sweden, noting that it was expected given the severity and spread of the outbreak in Africa. “There will likely be more cases here and in other parts of the world as there are currently no mechanisms in place to prevent imported cases of mpox,” he added.
