Thailand has become the first country in Asia to report a case of the potentially deadlier Clade 1b strain of Mpox. This marks the second confirmed case of this variant outside of Africa. The infected individual, a 66-year-old European man, arrived in Bangkok from an undisclosed African country on August 14. He began displaying symptoms the following day and sought immediate medical attention. Subsequent testing confirmed his diagnosis of Mpox, specifically the Clade 1b strain. A recent development in Singapore, it has reported 13 cases of mpox this year, all of which are the less severe Clade 2 variant.Global spread and fatality ratesThe Clade 1b strain has been identified in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), contributing to a concerning outbreak that has claimed over 450 lives. Neighbouring countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, previously unaffected by Mpox, have also reported cases. Sweden was the first country outside of Africa to confirm a case of Clade 1b. The infected individual had also recently travelled to an African country. Transmission and preventionMpox is transmitted through close contact, including sexual activity, skin-to-skin contact, and respiratory droplets. While less contagious than viruses like COVID-19 and measles, the spread of the new variant and its high fatality rate in certain regions have raised significant concerns. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern. Outbreaks can be controlled through measures such as public awareness, contact tracing, and vaccination. However, vaccine availability is limited, particularly in Africa. Thailand's responseThailand's Department of Disease Control has initiated contact tracing efforts, identifying 43 potential contacts who will be monitored for 21 days. Additionally, the country has implemented travel restrictions for individuals arriving from 42 designated "risk countries." Mpox symptoms and fatality ratesMpox symptoms include flu-like illness and skin lesions. While most cases are mild, the Clade 1b strain circulating in central Africa is associated with a higher fatality rate, with approximately 4% of cases resulting in death. The global public health emergency in 2022 was primarily attributed to the Clade 2 strain, which is generally milder. Cases of this strain continue to be reported in many countries.