THAILAND may have its first case of a more contagious strain of mpox. A 66-year-old European man, who recently returned from Africa, developed symptoms shortly after arriving in the country on August 14th.
Doctors diagnosed him with mpox, and tests are underway to determine if it’s the more transmissible clade 1b strain. Authorities are monitoring 43 passengers who sat near the patient on the flight, advising them to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms.
Officials assure the public that there is no need for alarm. The patient has mild symptoms, and the disease is less contagious than COVID-19, spreading primarily through close contact. Most patients recover on their own unless they have underlying health issues.
Thailand has recorded around 800 cases of the Clade 2 strain since 2022. This new case could signal a shift, but health officials are waiting for further test results.
