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Avoid risky sex or unknown sexual partners.
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Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) issued a statement reiterating that chickenpox is mild and has a lower chance of transmission than Covid-19. Must be someone who has very close contact with the patient. People are asked to wash their hands often and not have sex with unknown people.
Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, MD. Director-General of the Department of Disease Control Press conference on the situation of COVID-19 and smallpox after 2 smallpox cases were found in Thailand, explaining the guidelines and actions to respond to the situation in terms of disease surveillance, prevention and ongoing care.
As of July 31, there have been 22,816 confirmed cases worldwide (an increase of 6,502 cases) in 75 countries around the world. The top five countries with the highest cases were the United States with 5,189 cases, Spain (4,386 cases), Germany 2,595 cases, the UK (2,469 cases) and France 1,955 cases.
The situation of smallpox in Thailand 2 confirmed cases, 42 contacts reported, 3 complete quarantine, 30 suspected cases, and laboratory tests of 30 suspected cases showed no monkeypox. The Department of Disease Control has monitored and coordinated cooperation with local agencies. Accelerate the search for more contacts. to control the epidemic of chickenpox and ensure public safety
“The trend of smallpox infections around the world is an uptrend and has a tendency to increase continuously especially in the United States and Europe,” said Opas.
but reiterated that in the past Thailand can find and limit the disease from spreading widely. “With measures like this it should be enough. and make us watch and closely monitor the situation.”
“The general public doesn’t have to worry. One, the disease is not contagious. Second, the severity of the disease is not much, so life can be carried out normally. The risk of smallpox is near zero.”
image source, Archyde.com
Symptoms of monkey pox
High-risk groups – avoid having sex with strangers.
Country-Location In Asia, the most likely to be infected are Singapore, India, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan, but will be “sporadic cases”.
Dr Opas said most of the infections in Asia came from close contact with foreign travelers. But it’s starting to see signs of transmission in the country, for example, in Singapore, where 11 people have been infected, as of July 31.
The risk factors for death of smallpox Which is considered to have a relatively low chance of infection and infection. Dr. Chok analyzes that out of the 3 deaths worldwide, they are at-risk patients with chronic congenital diseases. or other pre-existing serious illnesses such as encephalitis and cancer
Dr. Opas continued that the World Health Organization It has suggested that smallpox vaccination is not yet necessary for the wider population. but may inject in high-risk groups such as frontline medical personnel those who perform duties of caring for patients or staff in the laboratory testing for infection which these risk groups are more likely to be exposed to the infection than the general public
But he reiterated that “smallpox is not an easily contagious disease. must be in close contact especially about sex” and avoiding risky sex or unknown sexual partners and referring to the statement of the Director of WHO, citing information from Europe that MSM is the most at risk group. with high-risk exposure points of this disease It is located in the blisters, pustules, and on the skin.
Open the timeline of 2 Thai patients
first patient He is a 27-year-old Nigerian tourist, infected with West African A.2 strain and more than 50 people have been exposed to the disease, but no new cases have been found in the area.
9 Jul. – getting sick
18 Jul. – See a doctor with suspected symptoms of monkey pox. with blisters on the face, torso, arms, legs and genitals
19 Jul – The test result was positive.
21 Jul – Escape to Cambodia
22 Jul. – The Department of Disease Control announced that The patient escaped from the hospital.
24 Jul – Found in Cambodia
Aug 1 – Current symptoms: dry, scaly wound
Patient 2 A 47-year-old Thai male infected with West African B.1 strain, a strain that is currently spreading in Europe. Of the 18 household contacts, all of them had negative results. While the first two people who had close contact with foreign men were Europeans of an unspecified country. but did not detect smallpox the other is Belgian Following but believed that he had left the country
15 Jul. – pustules on the genitals and face, limbs
26 Jul – Admission to private hospitals
27 Jul – Travel to Wachira Hospital with clear blisters on the genitals The screening and the treating physician suspected that it was caused by chickenpox. Therefore, specimens from pharyngeal lesions and blood were collected for examination at the laboratories of the Red Cross Society and the Department of Medical Sciences. along with being informed Urban Disease Prevention and Control Institute (OCC), Department of Disease Control and Bureau of Health Bangkok
28 Jul. – Both labs have tested positive and are currently being treated in the isolation room at Wachira Hospital. The hospital talked to the OHEC, and concluded that it was agreed to be treated at the Vajira Hospital. No need to move to Bamrasnaradura Hospital
Both patients in Thailand have a history. “Related to travelers from overseas or having sex with foreigners”, so be careful of close contact with high-risk groups.
Three strategies for protection
preventive measures
- Focus on communication, reduce the risk Reduce participation in risky activities both domestically and internationally
- Avoid being in close contact with the patient. and reduce risky activities
- increase awareness of risk behavior
- Consider vaccination starting from high-risk groups. and vaccination to limit and prevent widespread epidemics
precautionary measures
- People who are at risk of infection in hospitals through the disease reporting system
- Screening tourists and foreigners through symptom inquiry especially asking about the occurrence of blisters and pustules
- Added PCR-Test in all districts of all provinces.
Countermeasures
- Searching for patients, identifying at risk groups and control risk groups from spreading the infection further
- Provide financial and social support for patients undergoing treatment and isolation.
The definitions of smallpox patients were divided into 4 categories: suspected patients, susceptible patients, confirmed patient and patients are excluded
For suspected patients are those who have the following symptoms: fever, body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, or have ever had a fever with a sore throat, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash or skin blisters.