The government has decided to classify the monkey virus as a generally dangerous disease.
“The classification gives access to take infection control measures that aim to prevent further spread,” says Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S) in a press release.
The government decided on the classification following a request from the Swedish Public Health Agency.
A few dozen cases of smallpox have been discovered in Europe, one of which has been found in Sweden.
The monkey cup virus is usually transmitted from animals to humans, but can exceptionally also be transmitted through close contact between humans. The infection can be sexually transmitted and according to the Swedish Public Health Agency, sexual contact poses a risk.
The symptoms are fever, swollen lymph nodes, general malaise plus skin rash with blisters. If the infection is transmitted through sexual contact, blisters on the genitals and around the anal opening can occur.