Thailand has recently identified a case of monkepox in a European man who arrived from Africa last week.
According to Reuters, a top official from the Department of Disease Control said on Wednesday.
The 66-year-old man, who holds residency in Thailand, entered the country on August 14, prompting authorities to take swift measures to manage the situation as they await further details about the specific strain of the virus.
Given the man’s travel history, health officials are proceeding with caution, treating the case as if it were the Clade 1 strain of mpox.
This particular variant is known for its severe symptoms and higher transmission rates.
The director-general of the Department of Disease Control, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, emphasized the importance of taking such precautions, especially since the man had traveled from an African country currently experiencing an outbreak of the virus.
However, the specific African country involved was not disclosed.
The timeline of the man’s activities following his arrival in Thailand is notably brief, which may help mitigate the risk of widespread transmission.
“After he arrives from the flight there is very little time frame where he come into contact with others,” Thongchai explained. The man arrived in Thailand around 6 p.m. on August 14 and sought medical attention the following day, August 15, which further limited his interactions with others.
Authorities are now closely monitoring 43 individuals in the country who may have come into contact with the patient.
These contacts are being observed to ensure that any signs of mpox infection are promptly identified and contained.
Thongchai noted that while the strain of mpox the man has contracted is yet to be confirmed, they are taking no chances, especially with the more dangerous Clade 1 variant potentially in play.
The patient has undergone specific testing to determine whether his case is indeed the Clade 1 variant, with the results expected by Friday.
This information will be crucial for the Thai health authorities as they continue to manage and contain the situation.
Thongchai highlighted that the man had also transited through a Middle Eastern country before arriving in Thailand, though this location was also not named.
Thailand has been vigilant in monitoring mpox cases since the outbreak began. Since 2022, the country has identified around 800 cases of the Clade 2 strain of mpox, a less virulent form of the virus.
However, this marks the first instance where a Clade 1 or Clade 1b variant may be present within its borders, underscoring the importance of the current investigation.
As Thailand awaits the test results, the health authorities are continuing their efforts to ensure that any potential spread of the virus is curtailed.
The outcome of this case will not only inform Thailand’s public health response but may also provide insights into the evolving nature of the mpox virus as it spreads across different regions of the world.
The World Health Organization has declared the new, more dangerous mpox strain a global public health emergency.
