Image credit:scmp
Thailand has reported its first case of the newly mutated and more dangerous mpox strain, Clade 1b, marking the first such case in Asia. The announcement comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to classify the outbreak as a global health emergency.
The patient, a 66-year-old European man who had recently traveled to Thailand from Africa, tested positive for the Clade 1b strain shortly after arriving in Bangkok on August 14. This strain has been identified as more severe and transmissible than previous mpox variants. Although none of the contacts have shown symptoms, they will continue to be observed for 21 days.
This development aligns with a broader surge in mpox cases across Central and East Africa, where the Clade 1b strain has wreaked havoc since July. Countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda have reported escalating outbreaks, with the DRC alone recording over 16,000 cases and 500 deaths this year. Clade 1b has a fatality rate of 3.6%, particularly affecting children.
Mpox, commonly referred to as monkeypox, is a viral disease that spreads from animals to humans and between humans through direct physical contact. It causes fever, muscle aches, and distinctive skin lesions. Although it has been known for decades, the emergence of more aggressive strains like Clade 1b has raised new public health concerns.
Thailand’s health officials have responded with increased vigilance, requiring travellers from 42 high-risk countries to undergo mandatory registration and testing upon arrival. The country’s DDC remains optimistic that stringent monitoring will help contain the spread of the virus, though the WHO has urged vaccine manufacturers to ramp up production in response to the evolving threat.