BANGKOK, Thailand – Mpox, a viral disease that first gained significant attention in 2003 during a U.S. outbreak linked to African rodents, has seen a resurgence with a more transmissible strain, Clade 1b.
Professor Dr. Yong Poovorawan, Head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, provided an update on the situation via his Facebook page. He highlighted the significance of the Clade 1b strain and its global implications. The ongoing situation in Africa has prompted global health authorities to consider Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, underscoring the need for increased vigilance and response efforts.
The strain has recently been detected in children and women, marking a shift from its previous pattern of primarily affecting adult males. The virus, which has historically been found in Africa, spread globally in 2022, affecting over 100 countries. While most cases have been mild, the spread among populations outside the typical risk groups is raising concern.
In Thailand, over 800 Mpox cases have been reported since the global outbreak began. Notably, 97.5% of these cases have been in males, reflecting the global trend. However, the emergence of the Clade 1b strain has brought new challenges.
In 2024, this strain caused a major outbreak in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries, resulting in more than 15,000 cases and a 3.4% mortality rate. The Clade 1b strain’s higher transmissibility and impact on children and women contrast with the Clade 2b strain, which predominantly affects adult males and spreads through close physical contact or sexual transmission.
