A third case of monkeypox (monkeypox) has been discovered in Thailand, a 25-year-old German who returned to the kingdom on July 18, health authorities said on Wednesday August 3.
The man is said to have started showing symptoms of the viral illness a few days following arriving while staying at Phuket.
Laboratory test results confirmed late Tuesday (August 2) followingnoon that the visitor had monkeypox following being admitted to a private hospital for treatment, said Dr Koosak Kukiatkul, head of health in Phuket.
This led to tracing the man’s contacts who might also be infected, Dr Koosak said.
In a preliminary check, none of the seven identified contacts, including the man’s Thai girlfriend, have tested positive for monkeypox so far, he said.
But they will still need to be isolated until local health authorities are completely certain they have not contracted the virus, he added.
The patient started showing symptoms on July 23, when he had a fever and a rash, the doctor said, adding that the fever continued and the rash spread to other parts. of the body, including the genital area.
The man was admitted to hospital on Monday following the rash covered most parts of his body and the fever did not go away, Dr Koosak said.
“It is more likely that the German patient contracted the monkeypox virus before arriving in Thailand, as he did not develop symptoms until shortly following arrival,” he said.
Dr Koosak said around eight other people had been admitted to hospitals in Phuket with suspicious symptoms but all tested negative.
Dr Opas Karnkawanpong, director general of the department of disease control, said further investigation was being carried out to trace the transmission.
He said only 9 percent of monkeypox patients require hospitalization, but suspected cases are admitted to hospital for disease control.
“Most cases do not require medical treatment, as only those with compromised immunity or underlying pathology need special attention.”
Source : Bangkok Post