Mpox virus latest: Thailand suspects first case of dangerous strain in European traveller as UK preps vaccines

Thailand has reported a suspected first case of a new, more dangerous strain of mpox in a European traveller.

The patient, a 66-year-old man who arrived from an unnamed African country on 14 August, is believed to be infected by the Clade 1 variant, which is deadlier and more transmissible and triggered a warning from the world health authority last week.

The UK is preparing for potential cases of the new strain of mpox after Europe recorded its first case of the more deadly variant last week in Sweden.

Health officials said plans are under way to tackle a possible outbreak in the country ensuring healthcare workers are aware of the symptoms and that rapid tests are available.

But European health authorities have ruled out imposing border controls as the risk of a global virus outbreak is still considered “low”.

In Argentina , a cargo ship was quarantined over the first suspected case of mpox on the vessel, after one of its crew members showed “ cyst-like skin lesions , the health ministry said.

A public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) over a new outbreak of mpox in several African nations , with at least three cases now reported outside of the continent .