Sweden's public health agency has confirmed the first known case of a more contagious variant of mpox outside Africa. This new development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing global health concern surrounding the virus.

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The infected individual reportedly contracted the virus during a stay in Africa, where a major outbreak of mpox Clade 1 is currently taking place. According to Swedish health authorities, this variant of mpox is associated with a higher rate of severe disease and increased mortality. The patient is currently receiving treatment in Stockholm, and officials have reassured the public that there is no immediate risk to the broader population.

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This alarming news comes just hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of mpox in parts of Africa as a public health emergency of international concern. At least 450 deaths have been recorded during the initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the disease now spreading to central and eastern Africa.

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The mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox, spreads primarily through close contact, including skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, and even through talking or breathing near an infected person. Symptoms typically include flu-like illness, skin lesions, and in severe cases, death. The variant identified in Sweden, Clade 1, is believed to be more easily transmitted through household contact and has been linked to a more severe course of illness.

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The Swedish public health agency emphasised the importance of vigilance, particularly as the virus's spread beyond Africa signals a potential global health threat. With symptoms usually appearing 6 to 13 days after infection, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has advised that early detection and treatment are crucial, especially for immuno-compromised individuals who are at greater risk.

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