While the COVID-19 situation The world and Thailand are in a downtrend that may soon enter endemic diseases. But lately, a smallpox epidemic emerged instead. despite being lost for many decades causing Thailand to announce more caution By on May 22, at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong Director-General of the Department of Disease Control revealed that the Department of Disease Control has a duty to prevent and control disease. especially emerging diseases and recurrent disease Has established a Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Department of Disease Control in the case of Monkeypox, to monitor the situation, trends and anticipate future situations. To formulate long-term and medium-term plans to improve strategies and measures accordingly
Director-General of the Department of Disease Control stated that the World Health Organization statement confirmed that Approximately 80 people were diagnosed with monkey pox, and there were suspected cases of monkey pox. During the investigation of the disease, 50 people in 11 countries that are not the source of the smallpox outbreak. And tend to see more patients in many countries. The first patient found in the outbreak was a patient in England. With a history of traveling to Nigeria in late April, the British began to monitor and search for more patients. So far, more than 100 people have been diagnosed from 15 countries, including the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, the United States, Canada, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Greece.
Dr. Opas also said that As for Thailand, there have been no reports of monkey pox cases. And it is in preparation for the entry into the endemic of COVID-19. Therefore, there may be a risk from travelers coming from endemic areas including the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, the United States, Canada and Australia. or those who can travel from countries in Central and West Africa in both international entry and exit channels or those who travel from such countries to major tourist provinces From the information from the International Communicable Disease Control and Quarantine Division Department of Disease Control reported that The number of registered travelers from high-risk countries, including England, Spain, and Portugal, from May 1-22, 2022, 13,142 travelers from the UK, 1,352 from Spain and 268 from Portugal.
In addition, Dr. Opas said that The Department of Disease Control has raised the level to monitor people traveling from these high-risk countries. Ask the public to closely follow the news. and if you have to travel to a country where smallpox cases are found Should be careful as follows: 1. Avoid contact with vectors, including rodents such as rats, squirrels and primates such as monkeys, although there have not been any reports of the infection in these animals in Thailand. If you come into contact with animals, wash your hands with soap and water immediately. And after returning from a country with a smallpox outbreak, observe for symptoms.
If there are abnormalities such as fever, rash on the face arms and legs, seek immediate medical attention and inform the travel history 2. Follow Universal Prevention (UP) by washing your hands frequently with soap or alcohol gel. Separate all personal belongings and do not share with others. Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, mouth with your hands, eating cooked food, etc. 3. Avoid contact with secretions, wounds, blood, lymph.
of animals or eating undercooked infected meat and avoid contact with secretions such as saliva, droplets, or lymph from people suspected of being sick or having a history of risk. even if there is little chance But it can occur through close contact with the patient through secretions. from the respiratory tract or blistered skin which the Department of Disease Control will closely monitor and notify the public periodically
On the same day, Mr. Joe Biden, President of the United States of America Answering journalists’ questions about monkeypox detection in 12 countries, including at least two in the United States: No one has yet reported how high the epidemic situation is in the US. But it is a concern if the infection spreads. Initially, the relevant working group is deciding which vaccine will be most effective.
As for the situation of COVID-19 in Thailand, the Center for the Epidemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) or Prof. published information at 1:00 PM on May 22 that it found 4,739 new cases of infection, 4,729 in the country, 5 from prisons, 5 from abroad, 7,391 more recovered, 55,792 in treatment, 31 more deaths, aged 34-105 years. 17 men and 14 women among the total deaths. 100 percent were patients aged 60 years and had chronic diseases, divided into 23 people aged 60 years and over, representing 74%, and under 60 years of age, but with 8 chronic diseases, accounting for 26% of the total. Additional vaccine recipients on May 21, 2022, total 275,672 doses
For the 10 provinces with the highest number of infections on May 22, 2022, found in Bangkok 1,465 people, Surin 164 people, Buriram 157 people, Ubon Ratchathani 156 people, Khon Kaen 142 people, Nonthaburi 123 people, Chonburi 120 people, Nakhon Ratchasima 108 people, Samut Prakan 96 people and Samut Sakhon. 92 people. There are 4,411,494 cumulative confirmed cases since 2020, 4,325,956 cumulative recoveries since 2020, and 29,746 cumulative deaths since 2020, with the cumulative total of vaccinations since February 28. Nov. 2021, total 136,540,949 doses
On the same day, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teera Woratanarat, Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University posted on Facebook about the situation of COVID-19 in Thailand that as of May 21, the number of new infections including ATK was the 11th highest in the world and 5th in Asia, while the number lost. It is the 8th highest in the world, accounting for 19.57% of all reported deaths in Asia. As for the latest COVID-19 medicines, Wong CKH and colleagues from Hong Kong Published results of studies on the efficacy of Paxlovid. and molnupiravir compared with those who did not take the drug. in a real epidemic situation From February 26 to April 26, 2022, it was found that the use of such antiviral drugs reduced the chances of getting sick. reduce mortality and significantly reduce the amount of virus compared to the non-medicated group. Paxlovid was more effective than molnupiravir. in terms of length of stay in the hospital and reducing the risk of death The results of this study highlight the importance of adequate antiretroviral therapy. easy access to take care of the people especially countries with ongoing outbreaks, including Thailand.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teera further stated about the monkey pox issue that The World Health Organization reports that since May 13, 2022, there have been reports of monkey pox cases increasing. And it has spread to 12 WHO member states that were not countries in non-endemic areas. As of May 21, there were 92 confirmed cases and in Another 28 suspected cases are pending confirmation from the investigation of the disease. There are quite a number of cases that do not have a history of traveling in the disease-rich territories. but had a history of physical contact with monkey pox patients. It was found in the group of men who love men. therefore requesting surveillance for disease This is because more cases are expected to be reported in countries that are not countries where the disease is endemic. and should educate the public to be aware of the symptoms of illness and risk behaviors that may cause the infection to spread.