21-8-2024 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s health authorities have raised the alarm over a suspected case of a more virulent strain of mpox, marking a potential milestone in the country’s battle against infectious diseases. The announcement comes as global health experts continue to monitor the spread of this concerning variant.
Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, Director of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, revealed on Wednesday that a European traveller who recently arrived from an African nation is believed to be carrying the Clade 1 variant of mpox. This strain is known for its higher transmission rates and increased mortality, particularly among children.
“Initial tests have confirmed the presence of mpox, and we’re confident it’s not the Clade 2 variant,” Dr Thongchai told reporters. “While we strongly suspect it’s the Clade 1 variant, we’re awaiting final laboratory confirmation, which should be available within 48 hours.”
The patient has been placed in quarantine at a local hospital as a precautionary measure, highlighting the swift response of Thai health authorities to this potential threat.
This development comes amidst a surge of mpox cases across several African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The DR Congo alone has reported a staggering 16,000 cases and 500 deaths since the beginning of the year, underscoring the severity of the outbreak.
The Clade 1b strain, which is driving the recent surge, is particularly concerning due to its estimated 3.6% mortality rate, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). This variant poses a significantly higher risk compared to previously known strains of the virus.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is primarily transmitted through close physical contact. Symptoms include fever, muscular aches, and distinctive boil-like skin lesions. The virus was first identified in 1958 in Denmark, discovered in a colony of research monkeys.
Thailand’s suspected case follows Sweden’s confirmation of the first Clade 1 case outside of Africa on August 15, indicating a potential widening of the geographical spread of this dangerous strain.
