PUBLISHED : 21 Aug 2024 at 15:17
The Department of Disease Control has announced a possible first case of a new, more transmissible strain of mpox in Thailand.
The patient, a 66-year-old European man who resides in Thailand and works in Africa, flew back from Africa on August 14. Health officials are closely monitoring the health of 43 passengers seated nearby on the flight.
Upon arrival at 6 PM, the man experienced a fever and developed rashes the following day, prompting him to seek medical attention at a local hospital where he was diagnosed with mpox.
Initial findings indicate the presence of a strain different from the previously identified Clade 1, which is less transmissible. Health officials are currently awaiting comprehensive genetic testing to confirm if this is indeed a Clade 1b infection, a variant known for higher transmissibility.
“While confirmation is still pending, we are disseminating this information to encourage public vigilance and enhance disease control measures,” said the director-general of the Department of Disease Control.
Fortunately, the patient is not exhibiting severe symptoms, and health officials believe he did not have extensive contact with others, as he sought treatment shortly after arriving.
The 43 passengers identified from the flight have been advised to seek medical attention if they exhibit symptoms within the next 21 days. Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn reassured the public that these individuals are not being quarantined and there’s no immediate need for alarm, as Clade 1b is not as easily transmissible as other viruses such as Covid-19.
Transmission can occur through contact with droplets from an infected individual but only after symptom onset, highlighting the importance of monitoring for any health changes in the upcoming weeks.
Historically, Thailand reported its first mpox case in 2022, identifying it as the Clade 2 strain, with approximately 800 cases reported since then, including 140 cases this year alone.
