WHO confirms first case of mpox outside of Africa as outbreak spreads
Both U.S. and Canadian officials have said they have not identified any cases so far.
STOCKHOLM/CHICAGO, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization on Thursday confirmed that a case of the viral infection mpox in Sweden was linked to an outbreak in Africa, the first sign of its spread outside the continent a day after the WHO declared the disease a global public health emergency.
Swedish health officials said at a press conference 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.
Both U.S. and Canadian officials have said they have not identified any cases so far.
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.
