Thailand has reported a new case of mpox in a 66-year-old European man who recently arrived from Africa, according to Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of the Department of Disease Control.

The man, a resident of Thailand, arrived on August 14 and sought medical attention the following day. “After he arrives from the flight, there is very little time frame where he come into contact with others,” Thongchai said. “He arrives around 6 pm and on the next day, Aug 15, he went to see the doctor at the hospital.”

Authorities are treating the case as a possible Clade 1 variant, a more severe form of the disease, due to its prevalence in the unnamed African country he visited. Test results to confirm the strain are expected by Friday.

Thai authorities are closely monitoring 43 individuals who may have come into contact with the patient. The man had also transited through a Middle Eastern country before arriving in Thailand, though the specific country has not been disclosed.

Since 2022, Thailand has recorded 800 cases of mpox, specifically the Clade 2 variant, but has yet to detect Clade 1 or Clade 1b variants.

Source : Arise News