The first confirmed case of a potentially deadly strain of Mpox outside of Africa has been reported in Thailand.
On August 14, Thailand’s Department of Disease Control confirmed that a 66-year-old European male contracted the virus after traveling to Bangkok from an undisclosed African country. He began exhibiting symptoms the following day and sought medical attention immediately. Tests confirmed he had been infected with the Clade 1b strain of Mpox.
An outbreak originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year has already led to at least 450 fatalities. This outbreak has since spread to several neighboring countries that had previously not experienced Mpox, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
A more concerning variant of Mpox, identified as Clade 1b, has recently emerged in the eastern DRC and is extending its reach into neighboring regions. Just a week earlier, Sweden reported its first case of Clade 1b, with the affected individual having also traveled to an unspecified African nation.
The case in Thailand marks the first confirmed instance of Clade 1b in Asia. While Mpox is not as easily transmitted as viruses such as COVID-19 or measles, it can spread through close physical contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and proximity during conversation.
Researchers are worried about the spread of this new variant due to its high mortality rate in specific areas of Africa. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a public health emergency of global concern.
Vaccines are generally available only to individuals at risk or those who have been in close contact with infected patients. Preventative measures include increasing awareness, monitoring exposed individuals, and infection control. Despite a vaccine shortage in Africa, millions of doses are expected to arrive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the coming days.
In Thailand, health officials have identified approximately 43 people who were seated near the infected man, as well as others who came into contact with him after his arrival. These individuals will be monitored for 21 days. Additionally, travelers from 42 designated “risk countries” are required to undergo testing upon entering Thailand.
Mpox is characterized by skin lesions and flu-like symptoms. While most cases are relatively mild, it can be fatal. The new strain that is spreading in central Africa has an estimated mortality rate of four out of every 100 cases, making it more lethal than previous strains. The tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa are the primary locations where Mpox is contracted, with thousands of reported cases annually.
In 2022, a less severe strain known as Clade 2 triggered a global public health emergency and remains present in various countries.