Bangkok, Thailand — Thailand has reported a suspected case of a new and potentially more dangerous strain of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. This development comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current mpox situation a global public health emergency.
The suspected case involves a 66-year-old European man who arrived in Bangkok on August 14 from an unspecified African country currently experiencing an mpox outbreak. The patient, who exhibited symptoms consistent with the disease, sought medical attention the following day. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, head of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, announced that laboratory tests are underway to determine if the patient is infected with the Clade 1 variant of mpox.
“We have confirmed that the patient has mpox, and it is definitely not Clade 2,” Thongchai said. “We are confident that the patient has the Clade 1 variant, but we are awaiting final lab results, which are expected within two days.”
Health officials are closely monitoring 43 individuals who may have had close contact with the patient, including fellow passengers on the flight. These individuals will be observed for symptoms over a 21-day period, as mpox can manifest between 2 and 19 days after exposure.
Recent outbreaks of mpox have surged in several African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, since July. The disease, transmitted through close physical contact, causes symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and large boil-like skin lesions. The emergence of the Clade 1b strain, which is noted for its higher transmissibility and a mortality rate of approximately 3.6%, has raised significant concerns, especially for children who are particularly at risk.
The WHO has reported that Clade 1, associated with the current outbreak, is more contagious and lethal compared to Clade 2, which was responsible for the global outbreak beginning in 2022. The situation in Thailand underscores the ongoing risk of mpox and the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and public health measures.
As Thailand continues to investigate this suspected case of the Clade 1 mpox variant, health authorities are taking proactive steps to safeguard public health.
