Monkeypox Outbreak Spreads, New Strain Detected in Thailand
The monkeypox outbreak continues to spread globally, with a new mutated strain detected in Thailand. This comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak in Africa a global health emergency.
The infected individual in Thailand is a European male who arrived in Bangkok from Africa last week. He tested positive for the clade Ib strain, a new offshoot of the clade I virus. This strain was first reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023 and has been spreading through close contact.
Authorities have identified 43 close contacts of the patient and placed them under surveillance. This new variant is also harder to detect as it targets genitals instead of hands or chest, making early identification more challenging.
The current monkeypox outbreak is primarily driven by the clade Ib strain, which is more virulent and has caused 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in 14 African countries. This strain has a higher mortality rate, particularly among children, with approximately 3.6% of cases resulting in death.
Globally, the African Region has reported 1,854 confirmed cases of monkeypox during the first half of 2024, representing 36% of the total cases observed worldwide. The Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported over 15,000 cases and 500 deaths, exceeding the number of cases observed in 2023.
Monkeypox is a viral infection that primarily affects humans and animals. It typically begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness, followed by the development of pus-filled lesions. The infection can last from 2 to 4 weeks.
Transmission occurs through contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated materials. Prevention measures include avoiding sexual contact with unfamiliar individuals, close contact with those exhibiting rashes or lesions, frequent handwashing, and not sharing personal items.
The monkeypox virus is classified into clades I and II. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa, while clade II is further divided into subclades IIa and IIb. The 2022 outbreak was driven by clade IIb.
Currently, there is no specific treatment approved for monkeypox virus infections. However, most individuals with intact immune systems and no underlying skin conditions can recover without medical intervention with supportive care and pain management.
If infected with monkeypox, isolation at home in a separate room from family and pets is recommended until the rash and scabs heal. In severe cases, antiviral drugs like cidofovir or tecovirimat may be prescribed. These drugs are approved for other viral infections, but further research is needed to determine their effectiveness against monkeypox.