A search has been launched for a 27-year-old Nigerian man following lab tests proved he had Thailand’s first confirmed case of monkeypox.
Phuket Deputy Governor Pichet Panapong made the announcement at a press briefing along with other senior officials, following Thai media reported that the Nigerian national had ‘fleed’ from the hospital where he was treated.
See : Thailand’s first case of monkeypox escapes hospital
Officials said Nzerem was not admitted to hospital as his condition was not considered serious.
He was advised to self-quarantine in his condo room.
They confirmed that Mr Nzerem checked himself into a private hospital on July 16, a week following suffering from a fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose.
He also had a rash and sores on his genital area which spread to other parts of his body and face.
The hospital doctor learned that Mr Nzerem had been to entertainment venues in Patong, had close contact with tourists and had unprotected sex several weeks before he get sick.
The doctor suspected Mr Nzerem of being infected with monkeypox and a medical sample from the patient was sent for verification.
A PCR test carried out by the Thai Red Cross’ Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Center on Tuesday revealed that Mr Nzerem had monkeypox.
This result was later confirmed by tests organized by the Department of Disease Control (DDC).
The hospital then tried to contact Mr Nzerem to tell him to seek treatment at Vachira Public Hospital in Phuket, but he might not be reached because he had switched off his mobile phone, Dr Kusak said Kukiartkul, head of Phuket Public Health Office.
Officials went to Mr. Nzerem’s apartment in Kathu district to arrange treatment, but he was not there.
It appears Mr Nzerem arrived in Thailand on October 21 last year and overstayed his visa by almost four months, Dr Kusak said.
The virus detected in Mr. Nzerem is the African variant, A2 of monkeypox, which is not serious, he said.
Disease investigation officials traced 154 people, including six high-risk people who had close contact with Mr Nzerem.
None of them were found to be infected, Dr Kusak said.
Phuket Immigration Director Colonel Thanet Sukchai said Mr Nzerem was believed to still be in the Patong area of Phuket.
The head of the disease control department, Opas Karnkawinpong, said the monkey pox was not serious and might be treated.
Since May this year, 15,848 cases have been discovered in 72 countries.
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Thailand confirms first monkeypox infection
Source : Bangkok Post
