Mpox Outbreak: Why Politics Is Hurting A Global Health Plan?

Health officials in Thailand have confirmed a case of the Clade Ib version of mpox, which led the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency.

This is the second case of this deadlier version reported outside Africa, following a recent case in Sweden.

Clade Ib has a higher death rate of 3% compared to the 0.2% death rate of Clade IIb reported in 2022.

About Mpox Clade Ib:

• The Clade IIb variant, common in 2022, spread mainly through sexual contact, affecting men who have sex with men. Behavioural changes and vaccinations eventually reduced its spread.
• Clade Ib appears to spread mainly through heterosexual sex, while another subtype, Clade Ia, spreads through household contact, exposure to affected animals, and sexual contact. Young children are particularly vulnerable to Clade Ia.

Thailand Confirms Case of Deadly Mpox Virus Clade Ib

• First in Asia: Thailand has confirmed its first case of the deadly Mpox virus Clade Ib. This variant has previously been reported in Africa and Sweden.

How Does Clade Ib Spread?

• Primary Spread: Clade Ib primarily spreads through heterosexual sex.
• Other Subtypes: Another subtype, Clade Ia, spreads through household contact, exposure to affected animals, and sexual contact. It particularly affects young children.

What Does This Mean for You?

• Health Risks: Clade Ib has a higher death rate of 3%, compared to the 0.2% death rate of the Clade IIb version seen in 2022.

Recent Case in Thailand:

• On Wednesday, Thai officials confirmed that a 66-year-old European man, who had been working in an African country with an outbreak, was infected with Clade Ib.
• The man had a home in Thailand, did not show severe symptoms, and travelled from Africa via the Middle East to Thailand, arriving on August 14.
• He developed a fever and small skin bumps the following morning.

Public Health Advice:

Dr. Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn from Thailand’s disease control department advised the public to:

• Wash hands with soap or alcohol gel sanitizer.
• Avoid close contact with strangers.
• Stay away from areas with outbreaks.
• Avoid rodents like rats and squirrels.

Thailand’s Department of Disease Control monitors 43 individuals who had contact with the infected man. None have shown symptoms yet, but monitoring will continue for 21 days.