Department of Disease Control Confirms Thailand's First Mpox Clade 1b Case

On August 22, 2024, Thailand's Department of Medical Sciences reported detecting Mpox of the Clade 1b strain in a European patient who had traveled from Africa. This is the first such case in Thailand, and the Minister of Public Health has ordered stricter disease prevention and control measures.

The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control stated that the case would be reported to the WHO in accordance with International Health Regulations (IHR) standards. He also instructed disease control checkpoints nationwide, especially at Suvarnabhumi Airport, to tighten measures for travelers arriving from countries with outbreaks, who must register through the Thai Health Pass and undergo screening.

Of the 43 close contacts being monitored, none have shown symptoms so far, but they will continue to be followed for 21 days. Anyone who develops unusual symptoms is advised to seek examination at a hospital promptly. Mpox typically causes a rash, fever, headache, and muscle aches, but no respiratory symptoms, so it spreads less easily than COVID-19 or influenza. Infection occurs through close contact.

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Dr. Thongchai recommended the following ways to protect yourself:

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap or alcohol gel.
2. Avoid close contact with people you do not know.
3. Avoid traveling to areas with outbreaks.
4. Avoid contact with rodents imported from countries with outbreaks, such as squirrels and rats.

Dr. Apichart Wachirapan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, described the measures for screening travelers arriving from the 42 countries in the yellow fever endemic zone:

• Travelers must register through the Thai Health Pass system.
• They must pass screening by disease control checkpoint officers.
• Body temperature is measured, symptoms are asked about, and the body is checked for a rash.

If symptoms consistent with Mpox are found, the following steps are taken:

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1. The traveler is isolated.
2. A medical history is taken and a further physical examination is performed.
3. Specimens are collected and sent to the laboratory of the international communicable disease control checkpoint.
4. The patient is referred to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute.

The following additional measures have been prepared for screening and quarantine:

1. Travelers arriving from the 42 endemic countries and countries with Mpox outbreaks are required to register in the Thai Health Pass system in advance, before entering the airline's check-in system at the country of origin.
2. Upon passing through the international communicable disease control checkpoint, travelers must undergo screening and have their body temperature measured with a handheld thermoscan. If the temperature exceeds 36.8 degrees Celsius, the temperature is measured again via the ear, and additional history and symptoms are taken before the traveler proceeds to immigration. If immigration officers encounter a passenger with symptoms consistent with Mpox, they are sent back for further examination at the international communicable disease control checkpoint.
3. A Health Beware Card is distributed to every traveler from at-risk countries. If symptoms develop after entering the country, travelers report their symptoms through the QR code shown on the Health Beware Card so that the Department of Disease Control can follow up continuously and they can receive treatment at the nearest health facility.
4. The Division of International Communicable Disease Control and Quarantine has prepared for quarantine in the event of a widespread outbreak by readying a four-story quarantine building with 60 rooms. For travelers arriving as a family, group quarantine rooms are also kept on standby.

Thank you for the information: Thairath

Verified references

Links and relevance to the article’s main topic were reviewed on 13 August 2026. Each source supports only the scope stated in the original document and does not replace personalised medical, legal, or service advice.

1. WHO: Mpox fact sheet Accessed 13 August 2026
2. CDC: About Mpox Accessed 13 August 2026