Sweden Detects New Mpox Strain as Global Outbreak Extends Beyond Africa

A new strain of mpox has been transmitted from Africa to Sweden, causing global health concerns regarding the potential for further international transmission.

The first case of a new strain of the mpox virus outside of Africa has been confirmed by global health authorities, which is a concerning development in the ongoing outbreak. The clade Ib strain of mpox was detected in Sweden when a traveler who had recently returned from Africa tested positive. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency in response to the accelerated spread of this strain in Africa.

According to Swedish health officials, the viral infection was transmitted in Africa and the individual is currently undergoing treatment. The clade Ib strain in question is a variant of clade I, which is endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The virus’s potential to cause a broader international outbreak is a cause for concern, as it appears to propagate more readily through close contact, including sexual contact.

Lawrence Gostin, a public health expert and professor at Georgetown Law in Washington, cautioned that the rapid international spread of mpox could be exacerbated by the advent of a case on the European continent. “The presence of a case in Sweden is highly probable to indicate that there are numerous undetected cases throughout Europe.”

These concerns were also expressed by Dr. Brian Ferguson of the University of Cambridge, who noted that the case in Sweden was alarming but not unexpected in light of the severity of the outbreak in Africa. He stated that there are presently no mechanisms in place to prevent the spread of imported cases of mpox, which is why there will likely be an increase in the number of cases in Europe and other regions of the world.

The gravity of the situation is underscored by the World Health Organization’s designation of the outbreak in Africa as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the outbreak has resulted in more than 1,100 fatalities and 27,000 reported cases since January 2023, with a significant number of these deaths occurring among minors. The crisis has been further exacerbated by the virus’s dissemination to neighboring countries.

The global vaccine alliance Gavi has allocated up to $500 million to procure vaccines for countries affected by the mpox pandemic in Africa in response to the escalating situation. Thus far, the clade Ib strain has not been reported in the United States or Canada; however, public health agencies are intently monitoring the situation.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released an updated Health Alert Network advisory and a Travel Health Notice to provide clinicians, travelers, and public health partners with information regarding the virus’s potential spread to regions that have not previously reported mpox cases.

Clade I mpox is linked to a higher mortality rate and a greater number of severe infections in comparison to Clade II, as per U.S. health officials. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed a public health emergency in response to an outbreak of mpox caused by Clade II, which resulted in more than 95,000 cases in 115 non-endemic countries.

The imperative necessity for coordinated international efforts to prevent the further spread of the virus is underscored by the confirmation of the first mpox case in Europe, as global health officials struggle to contain the outbreak.