A new, deadlier strain of mpox has been discovered in Thailand, prompting these Asian nations to increase their precautions.

• The deadly strain of mpox, Clade 1b, has been found outside Africa.
• Governments in Asia have moved to tightened their containment measures.

The new and deadly strain of mpox, Clade 1b, has been discovered outside Africa, prompting countries in Asia to increase their precautions.

Mpox cases have been reported in Thailand, Philippines, Sweden, and Pakistan outside of Africa.

Thailand

Thailand will intensify surveillance and screening measures at its international airports after confirming its first case of the strain on Thursday.

Before traveling to Thailand, individuals from countries with mpox outbreaks must register on the health ministry's online platform and undergo health screening upon arrival. Those displaying mpox symptoms will be quarantined.

In the event of a widespread outbreak, those arriving from countries with outbreaks will be checked for rashes and have their temperatures scanned. The government has also prepared a quarantine facility.

An individual from Africa was found to be the first and only Clade 1b strain in Thailand.

Singapore

On Thursday, Singapore intensified its mpox safety measures by implementing temperature and visual screening for inbound travelers and crew arriving from specific flights. Those exhibiting mpox symptoms, such as rash, fever, will undergo medical evaluation.

Currently, there are no direct flights from Singapore to any country experiencing an mpox outbreak.

The health ministry announced that as of Thursday, 13 cases of the "less severe" Clade 2 infections have been detected in the country this year, but no cases of the Clade 1b strain have been reported yet. Similar screening procedures will also be applied at sea checkpoints for those arriving on ships from areas affected by mpox.

South Korea

On Tuesday, the Korean Disease Control Agency reclassified mpox as a quarantinable infectious disease, according to the country's health authorities.

Travelers arriving from eight African countries must report to quarantine officials if they exhibit mpox symptoms, including those from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Kenya, Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Public health doctors and epidemiologists will be stationed at the Ethiopian flights arriving at Incheon Airport, Seoul's primary international airport, as South Korea has not reported any cases of the Clade 1b variant.

Indonesia

Bali, a well-known tourist destination, is also on high alert due to the installation of three thermal scanners at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Passengers with a temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, or 99.5 Fahrenheit, will need to undergo a further health examination.

The airport's general manager stated that individuals exhibiting symptoms of mpox will be isolated in the clinic prior to being transported to the hospital.

The Indonesian government is implementing surveillance and health checks for inbound travelers and is preparing 4,450 doses of vaccines, but has not yet reported any cases of the Clade 1b variant.

Philippines and Malaysia

A Philippine senator has urged schools to implement stricter health and sanitation measures, and has repeated his call for the establishment of a Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent all public health diseases. Despite the country not yet implementing specific preventive measures at its airports, the senator has made this appeal.

Since July 2022, the Philippines has had 10 laboratory-confirmed cases of mpox, with the latest case being the mild Clade 2 variant.

The Ministry of Health in Malaysia has stated that travelers from countries with reported mpox cases must monitor their health for 21 days upon arrival in Malaysia.

Individuals with a history of risky activities and experiencing mpox symptoms should seek examination at a health facility. As of now, Malaysia has not reported any cases of the Clade 1b variant.

Monkeypox, previously known as mpox, is a viral infection that spreads through close contact and can cause flu-like symptoms and lesions containing pus. Although usually mild, it can be fatal.