Mystery Contagious Strain from Africa Unveils a New Threat in Sweden

Sweden has detected its first case of a more dangerous mpox strain, marking the first instance of this variant outside Africa and raising concerns about potential global spread.

At a Glance

Sweden confirmed the first case of mpox Clade 1b outside Africa
The infected person contracted the disease during a stay in Africa
This strain is associated with more severe illness and higher fatality rates
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency
Experts warn of potential further spread but consider the risk to Europe low

Sweden Reports First Case of Dangerous Mpox Variant

Swedish health authorities have confirmed the country’s first case of mpox Clade 1b, a more dangerous strain of the virus. This development marks the first time this particular variant has been detected outside of Africa, prompting heightened concern among global health experts.

The infected individual reportedly contracted the disease while visiting an area in Africa experiencing a significant mpox outbreak. Swedish Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed addressed the situation, stating, “We have now also during the afternoon had confirmation that we have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called clade I.”

Sweden says it confirmed a case of the more contagious version of mpox currently circulating in central and eastern Africa.

It is the first known infection of the strain outside of Africa. https://t.co/lJhprFJSG3

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 15, 2024

Understanding the Threat: Mpox Clade 1b

Mpox Clade 1b is causing alarm due to its potential for more severe outcomes. The Swedish public health agency warned that this strain is “likely to be associated with a higher risk of a more severe course of disease and higher mortality.” This variant has been spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries, with a concerning tendency to affect children more severely.

“This case does not warrant any further infection control measures per se, but we take the outbreak of mpox clade I very seriously. We are monitoring it closely and continuously assessing whether new measures are needed,” Magnus Gisslén, Sweden’s state epidemiologist said. Source

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the mpox outbreak a global public health emergency. This declaration aims to mobilize greater support for affected areas and coordinate international efforts to control the spread of the disease.

Global Response and Preventive Measures

While the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) considers the risk to the general European population to be very low, health authorities are not taking any chances. WHO/Europe is actively collaborating with Swedish health officials to manage this first confirmed case of mpox Clade 1b outside Africa.

“The affected person has also been infected during a stay in an area of Africa where there is a large outbreak of mpox Clade 1,” Source

Experts emphasize the importance of swift international action to prevent further spread. Vaccines are available but may not be sufficient for those at greatest risk. The WHO reported 548 deaths from mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this year alone, underscoring the severity of the outbreak in Africa.

Looking Ahead: Vigilance and Preparation

As the global health community grapples with this new development, there’s a growing consensus that further cases in Europe and other parts of the world are likely. Paul Hunter, a professor at the University of East Anglia, suggested that clade I is “almost certainly” already present in the U.K., highlighting the potential for undetected spread.

While the mortality rate in Sweden is expected to be lower due to high-quality healthcare, the emergence of this more dangerous strain outside Africa serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in global health security. As nations work to bolster their preparedness, the situation underscores the critical importance of international cooperation in addressing emerging health threats.