The patient, who arrived in Bangkok from Africa on August 14, tested positive for lineage Ib and authorities have identified and placed under surveillance 43 of his close contacts, the report said, citing the Department of Disease Control. Read more
Thailand on Thursday confirmed the first case in Asia of the new, more deadly strain of MPOX in a European man who arrived in Bangkok from Africa on Aug. 14.
The patient tested positive for the Ib lineage, according to the Department of Disease Control at the Ministry of Public Health, and authorities have identified and placed under surveillance 43 of his close contacts, Bloomberg reported.
“The Department of Disease Control wishes to confirm the test results which show that the patient in Europe is infected with MPOX lineage 1b,” the department said in a statement, adding that it would also inform the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the development.
“43 people who had close contact with the patient have been monitored and so far none have shown any symptoms but they need to continue being monitored for a total of 21 days,” the statement added.
The patient, who was exhibiting illness and symptoms associated with poliovirus infection, was admitted to hospital on August 15, the day after arriving in Bangkok.
The new virus, which has a 3% case fatality rate, has spread to African countries, with over 500 reported deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Children and adolescents have also been infected, with the case fatality rate known to be over 60% in patients under the age of five.
Unlike previous, milder variants that emerged in 2022 and spread primarily through sexual contact between men, the current variant that causes lesions involving bodily fluids is spread through any kind of sexual activity and other close physical contact.
Asian countries from China to India to Pakistan, many of them densely populated, have stepped up surveillance in recent days, with travelers from infected countries being asked to self-report symptoms and hospitals on high alert for suspected cases.
The patient, who exhibited symptoms consistent with poliovirus infection, was admitted to hospital on August 15, the day after arriving in Bangkok.
This new type of MPOX, which has a 3% mortality rate, is now spreading to several African countries and has killed more than 500 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This strain also infects children and young people, with a fatality rate of over 60% in those under five years of age.
Unlike milder variants that emerged in 2022 and mainly affected gay men, the current variant causes fluid-filled lesions and can be transmitted through different types of sexual activity and other close bodily contact, Bloomberg reported.
Densely populated Asian countries such as China, India and Pakistan have stepped up surveillance efforts in recent days, with travellers from affected areas being urged to report any symptoms and hospitals on high alert for possible cases.
Information provided by the institution
