Experts have urged caution regarding a new mpox strain amid concerns that the current outbreak could escalate into a global pandemic.
Dr. Yong Poovorawan, a clinical virologist at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, highlighted the risks associated with the Clade 1b subvariant in a Facebook post on Monday. This strain, which can be transmitted through respiratory droplets, is considered more aggressive than the previously identified Clade 2 strain found in Thailand.
Dr. Yong noted that Clade 1b has been prevalent in DR Congo, affecting both children and adults, with a higher fatality rate observed among children. Unlike Clade 2, which is transmitted through close physical contact, Clade 1b’s ability to spread via respiratory droplets makes it potentially more transmissible.
He explained that both Clade 1 and Clade 2, including their subclades, can infect individuals regardless of age or gender. However, 98% of Clade 2b cases have been reported in men, particularly among homosexuals.
In response to the outbreak, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a statement on Monday, marking the 100th reported Clade 2b case in Thailand. The DDC has instructed hospitals and relevant sectors to implement rigorous surveillance measures in areas susceptible to pox outbreaks. Additionally, all international airport disease control checkpoints and international ports, including Don Muang Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, and Laem Chabang Port, are required to screen passengers arriving from Africa.
The Department of Medical Sciences will ensure that laboratory and medical supplies are adequate in case of an outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) following the discovery of mpox cases in several African countries, including DR Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
