Thailand has recently confirmed its first known case of a new, more dangerous strain of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). Here are the key details about this case:
Patient Information
The infected individual is a 66-year-old European man who arrived in Bangkok on August 14, 2024, from an unspecified African country. He began showing symptoms the day after his arrival and promptly sought medical attention.
Virus Strain
The case has been confirmed as the Clade 1b strain of mpox, which is considered more dangerous than previous variants. This marks the first confirmed case of Clade 1b in Asia and only the second known case outside of Africa.
The mpox strain isolated from the 66-year-old European man in Thailand appears to be phylogenetically slightly different from the mpox Clade Ib strain recently found in the Republic of Congo.
Significance
This discovery is particularly noteworthy for several reasons:
- It's the first confirmed case of Clade 1b in Asia.
- The Clade 1b strain appears to have a higher transmission rate and mortality rate compared to previous variants.
- It has raised concerns about potential wider transmission, especially given Thailand's status as a popular tourist destination.
Response Measures
Thai health authorities have taken several steps in response to this case:
- Identification and monitoring of 43 close contacts, including fellow passengers on the flight.
- Implementation of a 21-day observation period for these contacts.
- Tightening of surveillance and screening measures at all international entry points.
- Preparation of a 60-room quarantine facility in case of a widespread outbreak.
Global Context
This case comes shortly after the World Health Organization declared the new mpox variant outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The Clade 1b strain has been responsible for numerous deaths in central Africa and has recently spread to several neighboring countries that were previously unaffected by mpox.
As Thailand heads into its busy tourist season, authorities are keen to contain the virus to minimize potential impacts on the country's crucial tourism industry.
