Health authorities in Thailand have confirmed the first case of a more contagious and deadlier version of the mpox virus in Asia. The Department of Disease Control announced that a 66-year-old European patient who had traveled to Thailand from Africa was infected with the Clade 1b strain of the virus. This particular strain is known to be more transmissible through routine contact and has a higher mortality rate compared to other variants of the virus. The World Health Organization has declared a global public health emergency in response to the spread of Clade 1b, which has caused outbreaks and fatalities in several African countries.
The surge in cases of mpox Clade 1b in Africa has raised concerns globally, with over 500 reported deaths in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The arrival of this variant in Thailand marks the second reported case outside of Africa, with the first case confirmed in Sweden. Health authorities are closely monitoring this situation and have instructed individuals arriving in Thailand from 42 „risk countries“ to register and undergo testing upon arrival to prevent further spread of the virus.
While the WHO has emphasized the seriousness of the Clade 1b strain and called for increased vaccine production, it has also clarified that mpox is not another COVID-19. The organization has stated that there is already existing knowledge on how to control the virus effectively. Unlike the previous outbreak of mpox in 2022, which was linked to a milder variant (Clade 2), the current Clade 1b strain is more concerning due to its higher transmission rate and mortality.
Symptoms of mpox include fever, muscular aches, and large boil-like skin lesions. The disease is caused by a virus that is initially transmitted from infected animals to humans but can then be passed from human to human through close physical contact. In Thailand, there have been 800 reported cases of mpox Clade 2 since 2022, but this is the first instance of the more contagious Clade 1b variant being detected in the country.
In response to this new development, health authorities are taking proactive measures to contain the spread of the virus and protect public health. By monitoring close contacts of the infected patient and implementing testing protocols for travelers from at-risk countries, Thailand is working to prevent a widespread outbreak of mpox Clade 1b within its borders. It is crucial for individuals to stay informed about the situation, follow health guidelines, and seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms related to mpox.
