Bangkok: A new strain of monkeypox, identified as "MPOX Clade 1b," has been detected in Thailand, marking the first known case in the country. The patient, a 37-year-old Thai man, was diagnosed after seeking medical attention for symptoms consistent with the infection.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Manoon Leechawengwong, a respiratory specialist at Vichaiyut Hospital, issued a health warning on July 21, 2026, after confirming the diagnosis. The patient initially experienced fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue, followed by the development of small pus-filled blisters across his body. His medical history revealed sexual contact with a foreign man a month prior and a long-standing history of HIV, for which he has been under antiretroviral treatment for 15 years, as well as a past syphilis infection.
PCR tests on fluid and skin samples confirmed the presence of the MPOX Clade 1b strain. Due to the patient's HIV status, the antiviral medication Tecovirimat was prescribed to be taken twice daily over a two-week period. The patient showed signs of improvement as the pustules began to shrink. He has been instructed to self-isolate for three weeks to curb any potential spread of the virus, remaining in isolation until all scabs have fallen off and new skin has formed.