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On August 22, the Thai Ministry of Public Health held a press conference to confirm that the country had its first case of monkeypox Ib variant. This was the first case of monkeypox variant Ib in Thailand since the World Health Organization sounded the global public health alert for the monkeypox outbreak last week.The second case of Ib variant in the world and the first case in AsiaUnlike the previous monkeypox virus, which was mainly transmitted through direct contact or sexual contact,The type Ib variant virus discovered this time can also be transmitted through secretions (such as respiratory droplets), rashes or contaminated objects.

The disease control department of the Thai Ministry of Health said that the patient who tested positive for the monkeypox virus "branch Ib" variant was a European male, and the laboratory test results on August 22 confirmed that he was infected with the monkeypox virus "branch Ib" variant. The new strain has a mortality rate of 3% and has spread to many African countries.Among known fatal cases, more than 60% occurred in patients under the age of 5.

On August 22, the Thai Ministry of Public Health held a press conference.

On August 24, Zhao Lei, chief physician of the infectious department of Wuhan Union Hospital, told the reporter of People's Daily Health Client that the monkeypox virus is divided into two evolutionary branches: Branch I and Branch II. Branch I was once called the Central African branch or the Congo Basin branch; Branch II was once called the West African branch, which is further divided into branches IIa and IIb.

“The monkeypox clade Ib virus was detected in a monkeypox outbreak in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo in September 2023.On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' largely due to the monkeypox clade Ib."Zhao Lei said.

Zhao Lei introduced that in the past, the prevention of monkeypox virus mainly emphasized direct contact or sexual contact transmission. However, the "branch Ib" type mutant strain found in Thailand this time has a new evolutionary branch I lineage.“This spectrum makes the virus more threatening as it can be spread not only through animals but also through human secretions (such as respiratory droplets), rashes or contaminated objects.”

It is worth noting thatIn this monkeypox epidemic, adolescents and children have become the "hardest hit areas".According to the first meeting of the World Health Organization on the 2024 surge in monkeypox cases on August 19, the people most affected this time are women and children under the age of 15. Children account for more than 70% of the cases and 85% of the deaths, and the mortality rate for children is four times that of adults.

According to a previous report by the People's Daily Health Client, as of August 21, a total of three monkeypox vaccines have been approved for use worldwide, and no monkeypox vaccine products are on the market in my country.

Is it necessary for children, the elderly and other people with low immunity to get vaccinated to prevent monkeypox in advance? Zhao Lei believes that the country has not yet reached the point where large-scale vaccination is needed. "With the peak tourist season and frequent international exchanges, the risk of cross-border transmission of monkeypox virus may increase. However, the prevention and control of monkeypox virus focuses on controlling the source of infection and cutting off the transmission route. The public needs to pay close attention to the development of the situation." Zhao Lei said.

Source | Changjiang Cloud News Comprehensive People's Daily Health Client