Sweden reports first case of more infectious form of mpox first identified in Congo

Swedish health officials have stated that they have confirmed the first case of infection with a more contagious monkeypox virus, which was initially discovered in eastern Congo. This comes a day after the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak in Africa and other regions a global emergency.

The Swedish Public Health Agency indicated in a statement that the patient recently sought medical care in Stockholm. "This case was infected during the patient's stay in an area in Africa where the (more contagious monkeypox) outbreak is occurring," the agency stated on Thursday (early Friday Australian Eastern Time).

Magnus Gisslen, a state epidemiologist at the Swedish Health Agency, said that the patient has received treatment and been informed of "rules of conduct." Swedish officials added that "the fact that monkeypox patients are being treated in the country does not affect the risk to the general population," with experts estimating the risk to be "very low." They also stated that occasional imported cases may still occur.

Earlier this year, scientists reported a new, more deadly strain of monkeypox in a mining town in Congo, with a fatality rate as high as 10%, and they are concerned that this strain may spread more easily. Monkeypox is primarily transmitted through close contact with an infected person, including sexual contact.

The World Health Organization has reported more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in a dozen African countries this year, exceeding last year's numbers. To date, over 96% of cases and deaths have occurred in one country, Congo. Given that Sweden and other wealthy countries have the resources to stop the spread of monkeypox, scientists believe that if a new outbreak related to Congo is detected, transmission can be stopped relatively quickly.