Thailand has confirmed Asia's first case of a new and more severe strain of mpox. The patient, a European male, arrived in Bangkok on August 14 from Africa and tested positive for the Clade 1b strain.
According to Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, this new strain has a higher fatality rate of 3%. The patient was admitted to a hospital on August 15, a day after arriving in Bangkok. Authorities have since identified and are monitoring 43 individuals who were in close contact with the patient. So far, these contacts have not shown any symptoms, but they will continue to be observed for a total of 21 days.
The new mpox strain has been linked to over 500 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is affecting children and adolescents with fatality rates exceeding 60% among those under the age of 5. This variant, which produces fluid-filled lesions, is spreading through various forms of sexual activity and close physical contact, unlike the milder strain from 2022 that mainly affected men who have sex with men.
In response to this development, several Asian countries, including China, India, and Pakistan, have strengthened their surveillance measures. Travelers from affected regions are being asked to report any symptoms, and hospitals are on high alert for potential cases.
The Department of Disease Control has informed the World Health Organization (WHO) of the new case and continues to monitor the situation closely.
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