Thailand reports suspected case of new mpox strain

Mpox cases and incidents are surging in Africa, where outbreaks have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda since July.

The disease, caused by a virus transmitted by infected animals but passed from animal to animal through close physical contact, causes fever, muscular pains and huge boil-like skin lesions.

The recent rise in cases has been attributed to a new, more lethal and communicable stress, known as Clade 1b, despite the decades-old mpox strain.

Clade 1b creates dying in about 3.6 per share of cases, with children more at risk, according to the WHO.

Originally called monkeypox, the virus was discovered in 1958 in Denmark, in monkeys kept for study.

DR Congo has reported more than 16, 000 cases and 500 incidents this season.

Sweden made the first confirmed Genus 1 situation to be reported outside of Africa on August 15.