Mpox in Asia: Thailand has announced the first confirmed case of a more severe strain of mpox in a traveler from Africa.
The disease control department reported that tests on a 66-year-old individual confirmed his infection with the mpox Clade 1b variant.
“The Thai Department of Disease Control is pleased to announce the laboratory confirmation of mpox Clade 1b in a patient from Europe,” the department stated, noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) would be notified about this development.
The World Health Organization has declared a worldwide public health emergency due to this new strain, calling for an increase in vaccine production by manufacturers.
The individual arrived in Bangkok on August 14 and was hospitalized with mpox symptoms.
“We have been monitoring 43 individuals who have had close contact with the patient, and so far, they have not shown any symptoms. However, we must continue to monitor them for a period of 21 days,” the department stated.
Passengers from 42 “high-risk” countries are required to register and undergo testing upon arrival in Thailand, the department added.
Mpox cases and fatalities are on the rise in Africa, with outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda since July.
Sweden also identified its first case of the more contagious variant in early August, and Argentina has placed a quarantine on a cargo ship suspected of carrying mpox, although it remains uncertain if it is the new, more contagious variant.
The illness is caused by a virus transmitted from animals to humans but is spread from person to person through close physical contact. It leads to fever, muscle pain, and large, boil-like skin lesions.
While mpox has been recognized for many years, a new, deadlier, and more contagious strain – known as Clade 1b – has been the main cause of the recent increase in cases.
Clade 1b is associated with a mortality rate of about 3.6%, with children at a higher risk, according to the WHO.
However, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, the head of the Thai Department of Disease Control, has stated that mpox is less likely to spread as rapidly as Covid-19 due to the close contact required for transmission.
The Thai Hotels Association has called on the Public Health Ministry to enforce rigorous screening protocols for individuals with mpox to avoid possible interruptions to the tourism sector.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, the leader of the association, expressed concerns on Friday (Aug 23) following Thailand’s announcement of its first case of a more severe strain of the highly contagious mpox clade 1B variant on Wednesday.
He noted that the virus can spread through coughing and sneezing, as well as through contact with bodily fluids, skin sores, or contaminated objects.
Thienprasit emphasized the need for the Public Health Ministry and related authorities to act swiftly to control the virus’s spread, including establishing screening stations at airports to check travelers, particularly those coming from Africa, where the disease is more widespread.
Thai hotels are pushing for strict mpox screenings amid worries about the impact on tourism and the economy.
Despite the mpox outbreak, Thienprasit remains hopeful about the upcoming peak season, which runs from the fourth quarter of this year to the first quarter of next year. However, he is concerned about the ongoing international conflicts that could affect the global economy and tourism next year.
He also highlighted rumors that Chinese tourists facing difficulties in getting passports due to Beijing’s policy favoring domestic tourism.
However, he anticipates that foreign visitors will reach 36.7 million this year, meeting the government’s goal. Yet, he warned that a drop in tourism spending could impede the achievement of the projected 3.5 billion baht in tourism income.
According to the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Thailand received 22.47 million tourists from January 1 to August 18, contributing about 1.05 trillion baht to tourism revenue. The largest number of visitors came from China (4.55 million), Malaysia (3.10 million), India (1.29 million), South Korea (1.19 million), and Russia (1.05 million).
What does this mean for the rest of the countries in Asia and the travelers coming in?
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