There is presently a mumps outbreak in 14 African countries, with 14,000 cases and 524 deaths reported. The more pathogenic Clade 1b strain is the source of the outbreak.
The WHO reported that Clade 1b puts children at higher risk of death in approximately 3.6 percent of instances.
Following the WHO's declaration of a global health emergency, Thailand has identified a new mutated strain of the mpox virus as the infection spreads to other nations.
According to Thailand's health ministry, the patient who tested positive for clade Ib was a male European who traveled from Africa to Bangkok last week.
43 of the patient's intimate contacts have been discovered by the authorities, who have placed them under monitoring.
The Clade IIb subtype, which was widespread during the 2022 pandemic, was primarily transmitted via intercourse, especially between men.
Epidemiologists note that Clade Ib spreads mainly through heterosexual sex, while Clade Ia transmits through household contact, exposure to affected animals, and sexual contact.
People should wash hands with soap or sanitizer, avoid close contact with strangers, stay away from outbreak sites, and avoid rodents.
Thailand is tightening health controls for travelers from mpox outbreak regions, requiring them to register with a Thai Health Pass and undergo screening.
Several checks are part of the protocol for anyone whose temperature is higher than 36.8 Celsius (98.2 Fahrenheit).
Medical professionals will also look for any indications of a rash or pimples. Those who have extra symptoms that are consistent with mpox will be screened and kept apart.
Sixty rooms are being set up by the authorities for quarantine. Over 800 instances of the earlier Clade IIb strain of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, have been reported in Thailand since 2022.
Concerns are growing as the new Clade Ib virus has a 3% death rate, significantly higher than the 0.2% rate of the Clade IIb version from 2022.
We all know that prevention is better than cure therefore, we must strictly adhere to heath guidelines prescribed to us to prevent another pandemic like Covid.