Thailand has confirmed its first case of the Monkeypox Clade 1B variant, detected in a European traveller, recently arrived from Africa.
Thai PBS World reports that the 66 year old man arrived in the kingdom last week. Dr Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director of the Department of Disease Control, has confirmed the man has tested positive for the variant.
Dr Thongchai says the case has been reported to the World Health Organisation, in line with international health regulations.
It’s understood another 43 people who had close contact with the patient are having their health monitored for 21 days. Dr Thongchai says if any of them start to develop a rash or a fever, they should immediately go to a hospital. However, so far, none of them have shown any Monkeypox symptoms.
Meanwhile, the authorities plan to introduce restrictions on entry into the kingdom, with a particular focus on Suvarnabhumi Airport. Passengers arriving from countries where outbreaks of the Clade 1B variant have been confirmed are required to register via the Thai Health Pass system and undergo screening.
Of note, the first foreign case of the nascent Covid 19 coronavirus was also detected in Thailand back in January 2019.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
