Thailand strengthens surveillance over mpox

Thailand is intensifying efforts to monitor all individuals infected with mpox and their close contacts, ensuring that they are under strict surveillance so as to prevent further spread of the disease, the country's health officials said on August 29.

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Thailand is intensifying efforts to monitor all individuals infected with mpox and their close contacts, ensuring that they are under strict surveillance so as to prevent further spread of the disease, the country's health officials said on August 29.

The move came after Thailand confirmed its first case of a new, more infectious mpox variant last week, marking the second detection of the Clade 1b strain of the virus outside Africa.

Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn said that authorities have been actively monitoring all close and at-risk contacts daily and no additional Clade 1b cases have been found since August 14.

The infected patient is receiving quarantined treatment to prevent further transmission and will continue to be treated until turning noncontagious, Thongchai stated.

He also noted that mpox remains a communicable disease under surveillance, which requires cooperation from close contacts and at-risk individuals to follow specific guidelines for 21 days post-exposure and healthcare workers to strictly follow infection prevention protocols.

Heightened screening procedures, including laboratory testing at airports, have been implemented at all international entry points, focused on travelers arriving from Africa, he added.

The World Health Organisation on August 14 declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern following an outbreak of a deadlier new variant across and outside Africa.

VNA