The first European case of the more dangerous Mpox Clade I variant has been confirmed in Stockholm, Sweden, shortly after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak an international public health emergency. This marks a significant development in the ongoing battle against mpox, a virus that has recently gained global attention.
What is the Mpox Clade I Variant?
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by the monkeypox virus and is known to trigger flu-like symptoms and distinctive pus-filled lesions. The Clade I variant, now identified in Sweden, is particularly concerning due to its higher fatality rate, especially among children. While the fatality rate for the more common Clade II variant is around 3%, Clade I’s fatality rate jumps to around 5% in adults and 10% in children, making it a more severe threat.
How Does Mpox Spread?
The Mpox Clade I variant spreads primarily through very close contact with an infected person. This can occur during intimate or sexual contact or through close non-sexual contact. The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated bedding, towels, clothes, or by touching mpox skin blisters or scabs. Additionally, if a person with the virus coughs or sneezes close to someone else, the virus can easily be transmitted.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has warned that anyone can contract mpox, but the majority of cases have been found in men who are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men.
Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms of the Mpox Clade I variant typically appear between five to 21 days after exposure. They include:
- An itchy rash
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen glands
- Chills and shivering
- Exhaustion
- A cough
- Runny nose
- High temperature (38.5°C or higher)
The rash is one of the most telling signs of mpox. It usually begins on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, including the mouth, palms, and soles of the feet. The rash evolves from raised spots to fluid-filled blisters, which eventually form scabs and fall off.
The Global Impact
The WHO had previously declared a public health emergency in 2022 due to the global outbreak of the Clade II variant, which spread to over 100 countries, including the UK. However, the emergence of the Mpox Clade I variant outside of Africa, where it has primarily been confined to Central and West Africa, signals a new and more dangerous phase in the global health crisis.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been particularly hard-hit by the Clade I variant, reporting over 29,000 cases and 1,100 fatalities, the majority of which are children. Alarmingly, a new strain of this variant, known as Clade 1b, has recently emerged in the DRC, demonstrating pandemic potential due to its high transmission rate.
