Monkeypox cases leapt in June
Health authorities say the number of monkeypox cases in Thailand soared last month and warn men who have sex with men to take precautions as new cases have been spreading among them.
Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said on Sunday that since the country had its first case of monkeypox in July last year, a further 91 cases have been recorded.
“Last month alone there were as many as 48 new cases, about 2.3 times the 21 new cases in May,” he said.
The 48 new cases were all men who had sex with men and 22, or 45.8%, of them had records of HIV infection, the director-general said.
Of the 48 new cases, 41 are Thais and seven are foreigners. Thirty-eight live in Bangkok; three in Samut Prakan; two each in Chon Buri and Nonthaburi provinces; and one each in Pathum Thani, Phuket and Samut Sakhon.
Most new cases had sex without protection or had sex with strangers before falling ill, Dr Tares said. No patients developed severe symptoms or died.
“This disease can be prevented by avoiding close contact with patients or those suspected of being infected with monkeypox and refraining from sex with strangers,” the director-general said.
People at risk can observe if they have rashes on their sex organs, anuses, mouths or elswhere on their bodies or have a cold, headache, muscle ache and swollen lymph nodes within 21 days of contact with patients. Those with symptoms should see a doctor without delay, Dr Tares said.
Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said the spread of the disease in June reflected risky behaviour among men of reproductive age, especially men who had sexual relations with men.
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05 JUL 2023 | 02:06 AM UTC
Thailand: Confirmed monkeypox (mpox) cases reported in several provinces in July
Monkeypox (mpox) cases confirmed in Thailand, especially Bangkok, in June. Maintain basic health precautions.
InformationalHealth
THA
Event
Health officials have reported elevated monkeypox (mpox) activity in multiple areas in Thailand, with 44 cases reported Jan. 20-June 18. Bangkok is the most affected, with 38 confirmed cases of the disease. Cases have also been reported in Samut Prakan (3 cases), Chon Buri (2 cases) Nonthaburi (2 cases), and one case from Pathum Thani, Phuket, and Samut Sakhon. As disease surveillance and contact tracing continue, officials will likely identify additional cases in the coming weeks. This report represents the most up-to-date information as of July 4.Context
The first confirmed cases of mpox in Thailand were reported on July 21, 2022 in Phuket. The first confirmed cases reported in 2022 were associated with overseas travel; however, all 2023 cases were due to local transmission. Human-to-human transmission occurs among people in close physical contact, with an increase in recent cases linked to sexual contact. The current outbreak highlights the importance of vigilant safe sexual practices, and mpox can be transmitted while the infected person displays few or no symptoms; however, the risk is currently assessed as low for individuals not routinely engaging with multiple or anonymous sexual partners.Mpox does not naturally occur in Thailand; most cases are reported in West and Central Africa, primarily in the DRC, Nigeria, and Cameroon, among individuals who report contact with wild rodents or other mammals which may harbor the disease.
Mpox is caused by a virus that belongs to the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. However, mpox is not the same as smallpox and does not have the same capacity for rapid human-to-human transmission. Mpox is mainly transmitted to humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected rodents or primates. Human-to-human transmission primarily occurs through close personal contact with an infected individual via respiratory droplets, direct contact with bodily fluids, or indirect contact with lesion material (e.g., contaminated clothing or bedding). Symptoms typically appear 6-16 days after exposure but can develop up to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms generally include fever, headache, muscle aches and backaches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a distinctive rash characterized by lesions that progress through several stages before falling off.
Advice
Practice basic health precautions, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering the nose and mouth when coughing, and avoiding obviously ill individuals. Avoid overcrowded areas and consider using safe sexual practices, such as physical barriers (condoms), in countries reporting mpox transmission. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop within two weeks of being in affected areas. Vaccines are available but limited
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