- Thailand confirms first Asian case of new Mpox strain
- European man, 66, has become the first confirmed case of Clade 1b strain in Asia
- The man arrived in Bangkok from an unnamed African country
- Those the man came into contact with are being closely monitored
- WHO declares Mpox a public health emergency of international concern
Thailand confirms first Asian case of new Mpox strain
Bangkok, Thailand – A 66-year-old European man has become the first confirmed case of the potentially deadlier Clade 1b strain of Mpox in Asia. The man arrived in Bangkok from an unnamed African country on August 14 and began experiencing symptoms the following day.
This marks the second case of Clade 1b outside of Africa, following a similar case reported in Sweden a week earlier. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern due to the recent spread of this more virulent strain and its high fatality rate in certain regions of Africa.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and respiratory droplets. While it is not as contagious as other viruses like COVID-19 or measles, the Clade 1b strain has raised significant concerns among scientists.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control has identified 43 potential contacts of the infected man and is monitoring them closely. The department also requires travellers from 42 “risk countries” to undergo testing upon arrival.
The outbreak of Mpox in Africa has been centred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with at least 450 deaths reported. The Clade 1b strain is believed to be more deadly than previous strains, with a fatality rate of around 4%.