The World Health Organisation has confirmed a case of mpox in Sweden is linked to an outbreak in Africa – the first time an alarming new variant has been detected outside the continent.

Confirmation of the detection of the viral infection came a day after the agency declared the disease a global public health emergency.

Swedish health officials said on Thursday (local time) that the case was found in the Stockholm region and that the person was infected while in Africa with the clade Ib type of mpox involved in the recent outbreak.

The person is receiving treatment.

“This is, of course, something that we are taking seriously,” Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed said.

Olivia Wigzell of Sweden’s public health authority said there was no danger to the wider public.

“In our view, the case does not currently call for additional protection measures. But we are of course following its development closely,” she said.

US and Canadian officials have said they have not identified any cases so far. Australian officials are also yet to confirm any cases of the worrying new varient here – although cases of mpox are rising, with 35 in the past 15 days.

There have been nearly 100 infections in NSW since the start of June after just one case in the previous five months. Another 110 cases of mpox have been detected in Victoria and 23 in Queensland since April.

On Friday, NSW Health has issued a fresh caution to be on the lookout for symptoms.

“With the recent increase in cases, NSW Health is asking people who may be at risk of mpox to stay on the lookout for symptoms,” NSW Health executive director of health protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said.

“Mpox spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, and often starts with small pimple-like skin lesions particularly in areas that are hard to see such as the genitals, anus or buttock.

“Some people experience mild fever, headache, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes and mouth ulcers or rectal pain. Mpox can spread to others until the lesions resolve.

“People who have any symptoms of mpox, even if they have had the mpox vaccine and even if mild, should immediately contact their GP or sexual health service for an appointment.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the current Mpox outbreak in parts of Africa as a global public health emergency. Mpox cases have also been reported across the world (1/2). pic.twitter.com/yVVyRmuChK

— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) August 16, 2024

The WHO on Wednesday declared the outbreak in Africa a public health emergency after cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo spread to nearby countries.

Clade Ib, the version of the virus behind the latest outbreak, is believed to cause a more serious type of mpox than the version that caused a public health emergency in 2022.

The mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, is spread by close contact.

It is related to smallpox and causes skin lesions, fever and muscular aches.

There are two vaccines but they are in short supply in Africa.

Earlier this year, scientists reported the emergence of a new form of the deadlier form of mpox, which can kill up to 10 per cent of people, in a DR Congolese mining town that they feared might spread more easily.

Mpox vaccination is recommended for those considered to be at higher risk of developing mpox. They include sexually active gay and bisexual men (cis and trans) and their sexual partners, as well as sex workers and their sexual partners.

More details here and here.

-with AAP