A traveler to Thailand has been identified as the first confirmed case of the Clade 1b Mpox Variant in Asia.
A recent traveler to Thailand from Africa has been confirmed to have the country’s first known case of a more virulent strain of mpox. The 66-year-old patient tested positive for the mpox Clade 1b variant, according to the Department of Disease Control. The department announced the discovery in a statement, noting that the World Health Organization would be notified of the new case.
Bryan Adams India Tour Records Breaks Ticket Sold Over 75000 WHO Declares Global Health Emergency Over New Mpox Variant :
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global public health emergency in response to a newly identified, more virulent strain of mpox. The organization has urged vaccine manufacturers to accelerate production of vaccines to combat the threat.
The first confirmed case of this new variant was detected in Thailand. A patient who arrived in Bangkok on August 14th presented with mpox symptoms and was immediately hospitalized.
Health authorities have been closely monitoring 43 individuals who had close contact with the infected patient. While no symptoms have been observed thus far, surveillance will continue for a 21-day period to ensure early detection of any potential cases.
To mitigate the spread of a more contagious mpox variant, Thailand has implemented stringent travel restrictions. Anyone arriving from 42 designated “risk countries” is now required to register with authorities and undergo mandatory testing upon entry.
Africa has been particularly impacted by the mpox outbreak, with cases and deaths rising rapidly in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Sweden has also reported its first case of the new variant, while Argentina has quarantined a cargo ship due to a suspected mpox infection on board. However, it remains unclear if this case involves the more transmissible strain.
Mpox is a viral illness transmitted through close physical contact with an infected person or animal. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and the development of large, blister-like skin lesions.
Although mpox has been known for decades, a recent surge in cases has been attributed to a new, more contagious and deadly strain known as Clade 1b. According to the World Health Organization, Clade 1b has a mortality rate of approximately 3.6%, with children being particularly vulnerable. However, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, head of the Thai Department of Disease Control, emphasized that mpox is less likely to spread as rapidly as COVID-19 due to the requirement for close contact to transmit the virus.
