Thailand confirms Asia’s first known case of more contagious and deadlier version of mpox

Thailand has confirmed Asia’s first case of the more contagious and potentially deadlier Clade Ib strain of the mpox virus, with transmission modes now including respiratory droplets and close contact, making children particularly vulnerable. The case involves a 66-year-old European traveler from Africa, marking the second occurrence of this strain outside Africa, following Sweden’s recent report. WHO has declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency and launched a $135 million global response plan. The organization also urges vaccine production and donations to combat the outbreak.