The declaried the mpox outbreaks in Congo and other African regions to halt the spread of the virus. Sweden has reported its first case of a new strain of , previously confined to Africa, in a traveler. Meanwhile, health authorities across Europe are bracing for more cases arriving from abroad.
Experts believe widespread transmission is highly unlikely. Unlike airborne viruses that have caused pandemics like swine flu and , which can be spread by asymptomatic individuals, mpox doesn't travel through the air as easily. Mpox, also referred to as monkeypox, is mainly transmitted through direct skin contact with infected individuals or contaminated items such as clothing or linens.
The virus often results in noticeable skin lesions, which may deter close interactions. For protection, experts recommend steering clear of physical contact with anyone sporting mpox-like lesions, not sharing personal items such as utensils, clothes, or bedding with them, and practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand-washing. On Friday, the European warned that while more imported mpox cases from Africa are "highly likely," the likelihood of significant outbreaks within Europe remains minimal.
Researchers maintain that the risk to the general public in countries not currently experiencing mpox outbreaks is minimal. Mpox is spreading at a snail's pace compared to the coronavirus. After the coronavirus emerged in China, it exploded from a few hundred to thousands of cases; in just one week of Janu.