Asia on High Alert After Sweden Discovers Dangerous Mpox Strain
New Delhi: Due to the spread of a mutated monkeypox (Mpox) virus Asian countries are stepping up their surveillance efforts after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency. This new strain, known as the 1B strain, has been responsible for over 500 deaths, primarily among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The recent detection of this dangerous strain in Sweden has raised alarms across Asia, prompting countries from China to Pakistan to take precautionary measures.
Authorities in Asia are urging travelers arriving from affected regions to self-report any symptoms of Mpox. Hospitals across the continent have also intensified their surveillance protocols to detect and manage potential cases early. Unlike the Mpox virus that spread globally in 2022, the 1B strain is more lethal, with a case fatality rate exceeding 3%. Additionally, the virus has the ability to be transmitted several days before symptoms appear, complicating efforts to contain its spread through traditional means of isolation and contact tracing.
China has implemented strict protocols requiring incoming travelers from affected regions to report any contact with Mpox patients or symptoms of the virus. These travelers may be subjected to testing by customs officials upon entry. India has similarly ramped up vigilance at international airports and ports, designating specific hospitals and laboratories to manage suspected Mpox cases. Other countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have also adopted comparable measures to protect their populations from this emerging threat.
The coordinated efforts across Asia reflect the region’s heightened alertness and readiness to tackle the potential spread of this dangerous Mpox strain.
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