Department of Disease Control revealed Smallpox found in Thailand, first monkey in Phuket, asks not to panic
On July 21, 2022, Dr. Opas Karn Kawinpong Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said he had been notified by a private hospital in Phuket. Found a patient suspected of chickenpox. Therefore, the disease control investigation team (JIT) was sent to the Epidemiology Division and the Office of Disease Prevention and Control 11 Nakhon Si Thammarat. Visiting the area to investigate the disease with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office and relevant agencies in the area since July 18, 2022, found that the patient was a male. Nationality of Nigeria, age 27 years old, travel history from Nigeria. Provide information on illness that in the past 1 week, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, red rash, red pustules, pustules starting from the genitals spread to the face, trunk, arms, collect samples for testing for pathogens. Preliminary results of PCR examination revealed Monkeypox virus by laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine. Chulalongkorn University (TRC-EIDCC) and later confirmed by the laboratory of the Department of Medical Sciences. In the afternoon of 19 July 65 and the disease control investigation team gathered investigative data, both clinical symptoms. epidemiological data and laboratory data to be considered in the academic committee Under the National Communicable Disease Committee on the afternoon of July 21, 2022, it was the first confirmed case of smallpox found in Thailand. By coordinating with the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee to assign Communicable Disease Control Officers to carry out follow-up and search for additional patients, as well as intensively assess the risk of infection in the area of responsibility.
Dr. Opas went on to say that The Health Organization (WHO) has not declared chickenpox a public health emergency. Because most patients have mild symptoms. At the same time, the Ministry of Public Health has announced that chickenpox is in the surveillance group. As published in the Royal Gazette, Title and Significant Symptoms of Communicable Diseases to Watch Out (No. 2) B.E. 2022 on July 8, 2022, people are encouraged to understand the nature of this disease. don’t panic and ensuring that the Ministry of Public Health is ready to deal with smallpox both surveillance measures Strict disease control The Department of Disease Control has opened a Public Health Emergency Operations Center. In particular, cases of chickenpox From May 21, 2022 to closely monitor the epidemic situation In the past, 19 patients were screened and screened for concomitant symptoms, and the results were not smallpox.
The surveillance of smallpox patients at the anonymous clinic sexually transmitted disease clinic Dermatology Clinic and Hospital There is also screening and disease reporting according to the definition of every suspected patient. Chickenpox is a contagious disease that must be monitored according to the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558, which can be transmitted through direct contact with rashes, blisters, and pustules from patients. Therefore, people are encouraged to cooperate and strictly follow the disease prevention measures. by avoiding close contact with people with suspected chickenpox symptoms, such as blisters or pustules on the skin and do not share personal belongings with others
As for the global situation of chickenpox (as of July 17, 65), the number of confirmed cases worldwide was 12,608, with 66 confirmed cases. The top 5 countries with the highest cases were Spain, 2,835, Germany. 1,859 cases, USA 1,813 cases, UK 1,778 cases and France 908 cases.