Thailand records Asia's first case of new monkeypox strain.

Thailand detects new dangerous strain of monkeypox virus

Thailand has become the first country in Asia to detect the new dangerous Clade Ib strain of the mpox (monkeypox) virus, which is spreading across countries and regions of the world following an outbreak in Africa. This is reported by the Bangkok Post.

According to Thailand's Ministry of Health, the patient whose Clade Ib strain test came back positive is a 66-year-old European who arrived in Bangkok last week from Africa and was hospitalized with symptoms of monkeypox on August 15.

Medics have also identified 43 people who had close contact with the patient and have placed them under observation for 21 days. If any of them develop a fever, rash, or swollen lymph nodes during this period, they will be hospitalized.

Thailand, which relies on tourism, has intensified surveillance and inspection measures at all entry points to the country and has mandated all travelers from 42 countries where monkeypox outbreaks have been recorded to register in a special Ministry of Health online application and undergo medical examination upon arrival.

The new dangerous mpox Clade Ib strain is spreading in several African countries and has reportedly killed over 500 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.