Thailand has recently confirmed the detection of a new mutated strain of the monkeypox virus, known as Clade Ib, as the infection continues to spread to various countries following the World Health Organization's declaration of a global health emergency. The first case of this new variant was identified in a European male who arrived in Bangkok from Africa, leading to the surveillance of 43 individuals who had close contact with the patient to prevent further spread.
The new strain, Clade Ib, is considered more virulent compared to previous variants and poses a significant challenge as it is harder to detect due to its tendency to target the genitals instead of more common areas like the hands or chest. It was initially reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2023 and has since been found to be spreading through close contact, emphasizing the need for further research to understand its characteristics and properties.
The current outbreak of monkeypox, caused by the more severe Clade Ib strain, has impacted several African countries with over 14,000 reported cases and 524 deaths. The World Health Organization has highlighted the increased mortality rate associated with this strain, particularly affecting children, with a death rate of about 3.6 percent. Despite efforts to contain the virus, cases continue to rise, with Pakistan also confirming a number of mpox cases, underscoring the urgent need for preventive measures and effective treatments.