Sweden has reported the first case outside Africa of the most dangerous variant of monkeypox (Clade I). The patient, diagnosed in Stockholm after returning from Africa, has already received treatment. Swedish authorities say the risk to the general population is low and the health system is prepared to handle the situation.
The case was detected in the Stockholm region in a person who had been in the area of Africa affected by the outbreak.
Olivia Wigzell, acting director general of the Public Health Agency, said that “the person in Sweden has received treatment and rules of behaviour (which he must follow) according to current recommendations.”
The case does not increase the risk for the Swedish population as a whole, Wigzell said, adding that no additional infection control measures were warranted at this time.
The World Health Organization yesterday declared a new global emergency due to this disease.
