Stockholm (Commonwealth Union)_ As the Mpox warning comes in, health authorities across the world are on alert. Sweden’s public health agency has stated that an individual who sought medical care in Region Stockholm has been diagnosed with mpox, attributed to the clade I variant. This marks the first known case of clade I mpox identified outside of Africa.
Magnus Gisslén, the state epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Sweden, indicated that this particular individual was infected while in a region of Africa which is currently experiencing a significant outbreak of the clade I mpox variant. The person in Sweden, who has now been confirmed as infected, has received medical care and been provided with guidelines for behavior.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the ongoing clade I mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring nations as a public health emergency of international concern. Clade I is said to cause the same illness as clade IIb, the variant previously detected in Sweden, but it is believed to carry a higher risk of severe illness and increased mortality. The previous global outbreak of clade IIb was primarily spread through sexual relations, whereas clade I is more often transmitted through other means, particularly close household contact, and frequently affects children.
The health agency further indicated that Sweden is well-prepared to diagnose, isolate and treat mpox cases safely. The presence of a patient with mpox in the country does not increase the risk to the general public, a risk that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) currently rates as very low. An updated assessment is anticipated soon. However, sporadic imported cases, such as the current one, may continue to occur.
Magnus Gisslén pointed out that this particular case does not necessitate any additional infection control measures, however they take the outbreak of clade I mpox very seriously and they are closely tracking the situation and regularly evaluating whether new measures are a requirement.
Around 300 mpox cases have been previously identified in Sweden, all connected to the global outbreak of the clade IIb virus variant.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the surge in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several other African nations as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR).
This declaration comes after recommendations from an IHR Emergency Committee, comprised of independent experts, who convened on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, to analyze data provided by the WHO and the countries affected. The committee concluded that the mpox outbreak poses a significant PHEIC, with the potential to further spread across Africa and possibly beyond.
The emergence of a new virus strain, clade 1b, in the DRC last year, and its rapid proliferation, are key factors contributing to this declaration. As of now, there are no reported cases of Clade 1 mpox in the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has given its backing to WHO’s decision to allocate funds to expedite vaccines access for lower-income countries and enhance surveillance, preparedness, and response efforts.
“The risk to the UK population is currently considered low. However, planning is underway to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK. This includes ensuring that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission,” explained Dr. Meera Chand, who is the Deputy Director for the UKHSA.
Clade 1 monkeypox is a rare but potentially severe viral infection that has garnered increased attention in recent years due to its emergence in non-endemic regions. Understanding its origins, transmission, symptoms, and potential treatments is crucial for public health professionals and the general public to effectively respond to and mitigate its impact on global health.
