More contagious mpox strain reaches Europe as Sweden reports first case

SUMMARY

Sweden has reportedly detected Europe’s first case of the more dangerous mpox variant, Clade 1, following a new global health emergency declaration by the WHO. The patient, diagnosed in Stockholm, had traveled to an area with an mpox outbreak. This development marks the first Clade 1 case reported outside Africa. The WHO's emergency declaration came in response to the rapid spread of Clade 1b in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has caused nearly 15,000 cases and 511 deaths in Africa this year. Mpox, transmitted through physical contact, causes symptoms like rash, fever, and aches and can be fatal. Clade 1b has a mortality rate of 5-10%, higher than Clade 2's 0.2%.