Thailand Reports First Suspected Case of Dangerous Mpox Strain in European Tourist

Thailand has reported its first suspected case of a more dangerous strain of Mpox in a European tourist who arrived from Africa last week, according to health officials. The patient, who entered the country on August 14, is currently under medical supervision while authorities await test results to confirm the strain. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, stated that the case is being treated as if it were the Clade 1 form of Mpox, a more virulent strain known to be spreading in parts of Africa.

This development comes amid heightened global concerns over the spread of Mpox, particularly in regions where the disease is not typically endemic. Public health officials in Africa, where Mpox has been present since the 1970s, are racing to avoid the missteps made during the Covid-19 pandemic, including delays in vaccine acquisition and distribution. The World Health Organization recently declared Mpox a public-health emergency of international concern, prompting a push to get vaccines into affected areas.

Despite being the only region where Mpox is endemic, Africa did not receive vaccines for the virus in 2022, even as it spread globally. Efforts are now underway to improve vaccine distribution and strengthen the continent’s emergency response capabilities. The Biovac Institute, a South African vaccine manufacturer, is in talks with the Africa CDC to transfer technology for local Mpox vaccine production, aiming to reduce the region’s reliance on imported vaccines and enhance its preparedness for future outbreaks.