Beijing, 16 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) — China will begin screening people entering the country for mpox for the next six months, a statement from its customs administration said on Friday.

Anyone entering China from countries with cases of the virus, those who have come into contact with mpox cases or those with symptoms of the virus would be tested, customs said. Vehicles, goods and other imports from areas with mpox cases should be sanitized, the statement added.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, its highest level of alert, due to a new variant of the mpox viral disease in Africa.

It said there was a risk that mpox could spread internationally again after an outbreak in 2022 and become a widespread health risk.

On Thursday, Sweden recorded the first confirmed case outside of Africa of the newer variant of mpox.

The clade I variant is believed to be more infectious than earlier variants and capable of causing severe infection.

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is related to smallpox. It causes skin lesions, fever and muscular aches. There are two vaccines, but they are in short supply in Africa.

Clade I infections have previously been confined to Central Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo a hotspot.