Thailand confirms Asia's first case of new, deadlier mpox strain

BANGKOK: On Thursday, August 22, Thailand confirmed Asia's first known case of a new, deadlier strain of mpox in a patient who had traveled from Africa. The 66-year-old European man arrived in Bangkok on August 14 and was hospitalized with symptoms of mpox. Laboratory tests confirmed he was infected with the Clade 1b strain of the virus, which is more severe and transmissible.

The Department of Disease Control in Thailand announced that 43 individuals who had close contact with the patient are being monitored, although they have shown no symptoms so far. Monitoring will continue for 21 days to ensure no further transmission occurs. The Thai authorities have notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about this case.

Travelers from 42 identified "risk countries" are required to register and undergo testing upon arrival in Thailand to prevent the spread of the disease. The WHO has declared a global public health emergency due to the rising cases and deaths associated with this new mpox variant. They are urging vaccine manufacturers to increase production to help contain the outbreak.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted from infected animals to humans and can also spread through close physical contact. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and large boil-like skin lesions. The new Clade 1b variant, which emerged recently, has a mortality rate of about 3.6%, with children being particularly vulnerable.

In Africa, where the disease has been surging, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 16,000 cases and 500 deaths this year. Other countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have also reported outbreaks since July.

While mpox requires close contact to spread and is thus less likely to spread as rapidly as COVID-19, the emergence of Clade 1b highlights the need for vigilance and proactive measures to prevent its spread.