A day after Sweden identified the first case of a more transmissible monkeypox variant outside of Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for increased global collaboration to address the outbreak. The new variant, known as Mpox Clade I, has heightened concerns due to its more severe nature.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgent need for improved surveillance, data sharing, and international cooperation. He stressed that the discovery of this new variant in Sweden highlights the importance of a united global effort to combat the spread of the mpox virus.
“Identification of the first Mpox Clade I infection in Sweden underscores the need for affected countries to tackle the virus together,” Ghebreyesus said on X. He continued, “We encourage all nations to enhance surveillance, share data, and work collaboratively to better understand the transmission of this virus. Sharing tools like vaccines and applying lessons learned from past health emergencies will be crucial in managing the current outbreak.”
Sweden confirmed its case of Mpox Clade I on Thursday, marking the first time this more dangerous variant has been detected outside Africa. Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed announced the case during a news conference, stating, “We have now confirmed that Sweden has a case of the more severe type of mpox, known as Clade I.”
The WHO recently declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has since spread to other countries.
In addition to Sweden's case, Pakistan reported its first monkeypox case of 2024. The patient, a 34-year-old man from Mardan who recently returned from Saudi Arabia, tested positive for the virus after experiencing symptoms in Peshawar. The diagnosis was confirmed by Khyber Medical University on August 13, according to ARY News.
As the situation develops, global health authorities and affected nations are urged to strengthen their responses and cooperate more closely to mitigate the impact of this emerging health threat
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