Monkeypox, which started in the African country Congo, has now taken the form of an epidemic.
After Congo, it spread to 12 countries in Africa and now this infectious disease has entered Asia as well. The Thai government has confirmed that the first case of a new variant of monkeypox has been reported in its country.
The infected person arrived in Thailand from Africa on August 14. The Thai government also said that this is the first case in Asia and the second case outside the African continent.
In view of the threat of monkeypox, the World Health Organization has already declared a global emergency. WHO says that the new variant of monkeypox is highly contagious and more deadly than the 2022 variant.
There are more than a thousand known cases in Congo alone, and at least 540 people have died.
According to Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, the infected 66-year-old European man arrived in Bangkok from an unidentified African country on August 14.
When he started showing symptoms of monkeypox, he was immediately admitted to the hospital. After investigation, it was confirmed that he was infected with monkeypox and specifically the strain called clade 1B.
Let us tell you that at least 540 people have died in the monkeypox outbreak that started in the African country Democratic Republic of Congo.
More than a thousand cases in Congo alone
More than a thousand new cases of monkeypox have been reported in the African country Congo as of Tuesday.
African health officials have called for desperately needed vaccines to help fight the “growing” threat on the continent. The World Health Organization has already declared the outbreak in Africa a global emergency.
Targets of Monkeypox
Monkeypox is similar to smallpox but has milder symptoms like fever, chills and body ache.
After this, red rashes start appearing everywhere on the body. Within a few days, pus comes out from those rashes, which is extremely painful.
It is most commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse or skin-to-skin contact. People with more severe cases may develop boils on the face, arms, chest, and genitals.
It is noteworthy that monkeypox cases have been confirmed in 12 out of 54 African countries, while Congo has recorded the highest number of cases so far this year.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported that of the total 18,910 cases in 2024, 94 percent, or 17,794, were reported in Congo alone.
According to the government, 541 people have died from this disease this year, out of which 535 deaths have occurred in Congo alone.
Alert in India too
An alert has also been issued regarding monkeypox in India.
The Union Health Ministry has asked authorities at all airports as well as land ports located near the Bangladesh and Pakistan borders to remain alert towards international travellers due to ‘monkeypox’.
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