Thailand reports Asia’s first known case of a deadlier mpox variant, Clade 1b

New Delhi: Thailand has confirmed Asia’s first known case of a deadlier variant of mpox. It has been detected in a European patient who recently travelled to the country from Africa. The disease control department noted that lab tests on the 66-year-old patient have confirmed that he has been infected with mpox Clade 1b variant. The department also issued a statement adding that the same would be reported to the WHO. An image of the same was also provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and it showed a colorised transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox particles in an infected cell.

This comes after the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency because of the new variant and urged pharma giants to boost the production of vaccines. The patient landed in Bangkok on August 14 and was sent to the hospital after reporting mpox-like symptoms. 43 patients were monitored who had been in close contact with the patient and had not reported any symptoms. The department also advised registration and testing on arrival for people travelling to Thailand from the 42 high-risk countries.

Mpox deaths have been surging in Africa, a continent where outbreaks have been reported since July in Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sweden also recently confirmed its first case of the variant earlier this month. Argentina quarantined a cargo ship over a suspected case of the infection on board.

What is mpox?

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a disease caused by a virus that transmits from animals to humans and then among humans through close physical contact. It can cause large, boil-like skin lesions, fever, and muscle pain. While the infection has been known for decades, a more transmissible strain, known as Clade 1b, has contributed to a surge in cases. It accounts for 3.6% of the cases and endangers children more. However experts are estimating that this infection may not spread as rapidly as Covid because of the kind of close contact needed to catch it.