A New Strain Emerges in Asia

Thailand has confirmed the first known case of a more contagious and potentially deadlier strain of the monkeypox virus in Asia. This new strain, known as Clade Ib, is concerning due to its increased transmissibility and potential for severe illness.

The infected individual, a 66-year-old European who had traveled to Thailand from Africa, marks the second case of Clade Ib outside of Africa. The first case was reported in Sweden a week prior. This new strain is believed to be more contagious than previous strains and can be transmitted through infected animals, close physical contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated items.

Children are particularly vulnerable to this new strain due to their weaker immune systems and lack of vaccination against smallpox, which offers some protection against monkeypox. In Africa, many children have not received the smallpox vaccine, increasing their risk of infection. Additionally, crowded living conditions and poor nutrition further exacerbate the risk of transmission among children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and has launched a global strategic preparedness and response plan. This plan aims to control the outbreak through comprehensive surveillance, response strategies, research, and equitable access to medical countermeasures.

As of July, over 99,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox, including 208 deaths, have been reported from 116 countries. The WHO urges manufacturers to increase monkeypox vaccine production and calls on countries with vaccine stockpiles to donate them to affected regions.