Thailand has identified its first case of the mpox clade 1b strain in a 66-year-old European traveler, marking only the second time this highly transmissible variant has been detected outside Africa. The discovery has sparked global health alerts as experts warn of its rapid spread through routine close contact. 🚨
What’s Happening?
The patient arrived in Thailand from an African country where mpox is endemic, officials confirmed. Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn of Thailand’s Disease Control Department stated: ‘No local transmissions have been found yet, but we’re monitoring closely.’ Contact tracing is underway, with no secondary cases reported so far.
Why It Matters
Clade 1b spreads more easily than other strains, even via droplets during close interactions, according to the WHO. Last week, Sweden reported a similar case linked to Africa’s ongoing outbreak, which has infected over 200 people across five countries, including Uganda and Kenya. UNICEF warns children and vulnerable groups are most at risk. 🩺
Global Response
The WHO declared mpox a ‘public health emergency’ after clade 1b’s emergence. While Thailand has recorded 800 cases of the milder clade 2 since 2022, this new variant poses fresh challenges. Travelers and health workers are urged to stay vigilant. 🌐
