The infection center is ready if smallpox infection reaches Uppsala.

– This type of virus is already known before and we knew about it. This is part of our preparedness for highly contagious infectious diseases and we have a basic preparedness for it, says Carolina Nissen, infectious disease physician at Uppsala University Hospital.

Smallpox, formerly known as monkeypox, comes in two different types of the virus, type 1 and type 2, and has long been present in Africa. In 2022, there was a major outbreak of type 2, which spread outside Africa, and now there is a major outbreak of type 1, with the first case recently appearing in Sweden.

But at the moment there is no concern about a major outbreak in Uppsala. If the infection persists, you are ready.

Taking advantage of the pandemic

“We are prepared for this, and we also have a lot of knowledge based on the last pandemic,” says Carolina Nissen.

Type 1 is thought to be more contagious than the previous variant and, according to the Public Health Agency, is likely to be associated with an increased risk of a more severe course and a higher mortality rate. While type 2 is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, type 1 has also seen spread through skin-to-skin contact, for example within families.

In Infektionsmottagning 2, development and research into the disease are closely monitored.

“When you work in infectious diseases, you always have a scan of the environment. It’s a dynamic area and things are changing all the time,” says Carolina Nissen.