BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai health authorities have reported a suspected case of monkeypox Clade1B, the Department of Disease Control announced on Wednesday.
Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, has announced an urgent press conference regarding the first suspected case of Clade 1 monkeypox in Thailand.
The patient is a 66-year-old European male who traveled from Congo, Africa. He transited through Qatar before arriving in Thailand on August 14th at around 6 PM. Immediately upon arrival, he reported a fever and the appearance of a rash.
The following day, he sought medical attention at a nearby hospital. An RT-PCR test confirmed the presence of the monkeypox virus.
While the test for Clade 2 was negative, the results for Clade 1b were inconclusive, and a definitive diagnosis has not yet been established. The patient is currently hospitalized.
The Department of Disease Control has dispatched an investigation team to work with the airline and obtain a list of passengers who were in close proximity to the patient. A total of 43 individuals, both Thai and foreign nationals, have been identified.
These individuals will be monitored for 21 days, until September 3. If they develop symptoms such as fever, rash, or swollen lymph nodes, they are advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Although the suspected case has raised concerns, Dr. Thongchai emphasized that the patient’s condition is not severe. Final test results are expected by Friday.
If the test results confirm that it is the Clade 1B strain, then this will be considered the first case of this strain in Thailand.
Monkeypox, a viral disease, has been spreading globally since late 2022. The disease is typically transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal. Symptoms can include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches.
In 2022, the Clade 2 strain was prevalent, and Thailand recorded approximately 800 cases of this strain from 2022 until now. As of the beginning of 2024, approximately 140 cases of the Clade 2 strain have been reported in Thailand. (TNA)
