Thailand confirms first Asian case of new Mpox strain

Thailand has confirmed its first case of a new and potentially more dangerous strain of Mpox, marking the first occurrence of this strain in Asia. The patient is a 66-year-old European man who arrived in Bangkok from an undisclosed African country on August 14. He began to show symptoms the following day and promptly sought medical attention at a hospital. Medical professionals have since confirmed that he contracted Mpox, specifically the strain known as Clade 1b. This particular strain has been responsible for a significant outbreak of Mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, which has resulted in at least 450 fatalities during an earlier outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The disease has also spread to several neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, which had previously been unaffected by Mpox. The Clade 1b strain appears to be more easily transmissible than earlier strains. Just a week ago, Sweden reported its first case of Clade 1b, involving a man who had also traveled to an African country. The confirmation of this case in Thailand represents the first instance of Clade 1b being identified in Asia. Mpox is primarily transmitted through close contact, such as sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and close conversations or breathing near another person. However, it is not as contagious as other viruses like Covid-19 or measles. The emergence of this new variant, along with its high fatality rate in certain regions of Africa, has raised alarms among scientists and prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a public health emergency of international concern. Outbreaks of Mpox can be managed through public awareness campaigns, contact tracing, and vaccination efforts, although vaccines are typically reserved for individuals at high risk or those who have been in close contact with infected individuals. Currently, there is a shortage of vaccines in Africa, but plans are underway to deliver millions of doses to the DRC in the coming week. In Thailand, the Department of Disease Control has identified approximately 43 individuals who were seated near the infected man on the flight and those who interacted with him after his arrival. These individuals will be monitored for a period of 21 days to ensure they do not develop symptoms. Additionally, Thailand is implementing testing requirements for travelers arriving from 42 countries deemed to be at risk. Mpox can cause flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. While most cases are mild, the disease can be fatal. The new strain circulating in central Africa is believed to be more lethal than previous strains, with a mortality rate of approximately 4% among infected individuals. Mpox is most commonly found in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa, with thousands of infections reported annually. Another strain, known as Clade 2, is significantly milder but was responsible for a global public health emergency declared in 2022. Cases of this milder strain continue to be reported in various countries.