Latest, more deadly Mpox virus discovered in Thailand: These Asian countries have increased their precautions

Countries in Asia have tightened their precautions after cases of the brand new and more deadly Mpox strain, generally known as Clade 1b, were recently detected outside the African continent.

At least 4 countries outside the African continent have recently reported cases of MPOX – Thailand, Philippines, Sweden and Pakistan.

Thailand, where the primary case of this variant was confirmed on Thursday, will tighten surveillance and screening measures at its international airports.

Travellers from countries experiencing MPOX outbreaks must register on the Ministry of Public Health's online platform before travelling to Thailand and must undergo a health screening upon arrival. Visitors exhibiting MPOX symptoms will likely be quarantined.

People arriving from countries with outbreaks are being screened for rashes and fever. The government has also arrange a quarantine facility in case of a large-scale outbreak.

The first and to date only clade 1b strain in Thailand was present in a 66-year-old European man who had traveled from Africa.

Singapore joined his MPOX precautions on Thursday. The country's health ministry said temperature and visual checks will likely be conducted on arriving travelers and arriving staff at certain airports. Travelers who exhibit a rash, fever or other symptoms of mumps will likely be referred for medical evaluation.

However, there are currently no direct flights between Singapore and countries where MPOX outbreaks occur.

Similar screening procedures are also getting used at sea checkpoints for people arriving by ship from MPOX-affected areas. As of Thursday, 13 cases of the “less severe” Clade 2 infections have been detected within the country this 12 months, the Health Ministry said. Cases of the Clade 1b strain haven’t been detected to date.

The Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified Mpox as an infectious disease requiring quarantine. The country’s health authorities said on Tuesday.

Arrivals from eight African countries must report back to quarantine authorities in the event that they exhibit symptoms of MPOX. These include arrivals from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Epidemiologists and public health doctors are being deployed on the gates for direct flights to Ethiopia at Incheon Airport, the principal international airport in Seoul. There have been no cases of the Clade 1b variant in South Korea to date.

Although the Philippines has not yet introduced special preventive measures at its airports, a Philippine senator said recently called on schools to implement stricter health regulations and hygiene measures. He also reiterated his call for the establishment of a Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, whose goal is the prevention of all diseases of public health importance.

The Philippines reported its first Mpox case of the 12 months this week, although the country’s health minister found that it was the mild Clade 2 variantAccording to Reuters, there have been ten laboratory-confirmed cases within the country since July 2022.

In Malaysia, travelers from countries where cases of MPOX have been reported must monitor their health for 21 days after arrival, the country's health ministry said.

People with a “history of risky activities” and symptoms of MPOX are advised to hunt medical attention at a sanatorium. No case of the Clade 1b variant has been reported in Malaysia to date.

Mpox, formerly generally known as monkeypox, is a viral infection The disease is transmitted through close contact and could cause flu-like symptoms and purulent lesions. Although it is normally mild, it will possibly be fatal.