Mpox outbreak: Sweden confirms first severe Clade I case

On Thursday, Sweden announced that the first case of pox (formerly known as monkeypox) had been confirmed. "We have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called Clade I," said Minister of Health and Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed.

Sweden has confirmed the first case of mpox viral infection, which spreads through close contact.

"We have now also during the afternoon had confirmation that we have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called Clade I," said Minister of Health and Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed at a press conference.

The mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox) causes symptoms of an acute viral infection (fever, headache, muscle aches), along with a rash resembling pustules.

On Thursday, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health threat for the second time in two years. This follows the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has spread to other countries.

The virus is sexually transmitted, but there is evidence that the new strain can also be transmitted through close skin contact. Cases of virus transmission between students at school or between a caregiver and a child have been reported.