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The mpox virus, formerly known as apopox, is spreading in Africa. Here mpox particles (red) are seen in an infected cell. Archive image.
1 / 2Photo: Niaid/AP/TT
The World Health Organization WHO classifies the outbreak of mpox in Africa as an international health emergency.
The new virus variant may appear in Sweden, but state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén believes that the spread can be limited.
The decision was made during the WHO’s emergency meeting on Wednesday following alarming reports of the spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox virus, in several African countries.
Declaring an international “health emergency” means that the WHO can introduce emergency measures.
The variant of mpox that is now spreading in Africa, called clade 1, is believed to be both more contagious and more deadly than the variant clade 2, whose spread took off in 2022 and which is also found in Sweden.
Many uncertainties
But the uncertainty is great, stresses state epidemiologist Magnus Gisslén.
– There are indications that it both spreads more easily and entails a higher risk of serious illness and death. But the available data is very uncertain and therefore it is important to follow developments closely.
A worrying factor is that clade 1 can be spread more easily by close contact, and not, like the previous variant, primarily by sexual contact. The virus can be transmitted from mother to child and is suspected to have caused a large number of miscarriages and stillbirths.
The outbreak of clade 1 was first detected in Congo-Kinshasa but has spread to the neighboring countries of Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda.
According to the WHO, more than 14,000 cases of illness and 524 deaths have been reported so far this year. But the dark figure is believed to be large.
The spread prompted the African Union this week to declare a health emergency on the continent.
Can get to Sweden
So far, clade 1 has not been found outside of Africa. But sooner or later it will probably appear in Europe and Sweden, according to Gisslén.
– There is a fairly large risk of import cases. But if the right measures are taken, the risk of further spread can be limited.
According to Gisslén, there is good preparedness to detect the virus in healthcare and limit its progress.
– It is important to be able to diagnose quickly and take measures such as isolation and infection tracking.
Are there any reasons for Swedes to worry?
– No, not at the moment. Right now, the risk of a larger spread here is low. But that can change and it is important that we monitor the situation closely.
Vaccines are believed to work
The vaccine against mpox given to men who have sex with men probably also provides protection against the new variant, according to Gisslén.
– Most things speak for it, but it has not been confirmed in studies.
FACT Pox and health emergency
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox virus, is divided into clade 1 and clade 2 types, with the latter found in variants 2a and 2b.
Mpox has existed in Africa for a long time, but since 2022 the virus is spreading for the first time to a greater extent outside the continent. The outbreak has so far mostly involved men who have sex with men.
Symptoms include blisters or sores on the torso, arms, legs, hands and feet, as well as on the face.
The last time WHO classified mpox as an international threat to human health was in July 2022, which was valid until May 2023.
The classification, previously issued seven times, means that the WHO assesses that there is a risk of international spread of an infectious agent or other dangerous substance, and that coordinated action is needed.
Source: Public Health Agency
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