14-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand has reported its first fatality linked to monkeypox, a 34-year-old Thai man who had pre-existing conditions of HIV and syphilis, as confirmed by health authorities.
Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, the director-general of the Department of Disease Control, disclosed on Monday that the patient initially experienced symptoms such as fever, headache, itching, and a rash on his body on July 3. Seeking medical attention, he admitted himself to a private hospital in Chon Buri province on July 11. Subsequent tests conducted on samples taken from him confirmed his diagnosis of monkeypox, alongside HIV and syphilis.
As part of the disease progression, the patient developed a sore throat due to a fungal infection, which often affects HIV patients as an opportunistic infection. Dr. Tares noted that the monkeypox-related rash began spreading across his body. After weeks of treatment, he was discharged from the hospital.
However, his health declined further. On August 9, he experienced fatigue and difficulty breathing. His relatives took him to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi province. By this point, his condition had deteriorated significantly, featuring a monkeypox-related rash covering his body, extensive tissue necrosis on his nose and neck, infections in various body parts including limbs, lungs, and brain, and severe immunodeficiency.
Despite receiving monkeypox-specific medication and antibiotics, the patient’s health continued to worsen, and he tragically passed away on the night of August 11.
Dr. Tares underlined that monkeypox is an emerging infectious disease in Thailand. As of August 8, the nation has recorded 189 cases, with 161 cases involving Thai individuals and 28 involving foreigners. The disease has been progressively spreading, with a notable concentration among men who engage in sexual activities with other men. Additionally, 43% of all reported cases also had HIV.
The deputy director-general of disease control, Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn, attributed the spread of monkeypox to continued risky behaviors among individuals. He emphasized that nearly half of the new cases of monkeypox involved individuals with HIV, whose compromised immune systems rendered them vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
According to Dr. Sophon, since the initial outbreak was reported in May of the previous year, there have been 152 fatalities worldwide linked to monkeypox. Global health authorities have started referring to the disease as “Mpox,” with indications of its initial transmission originating from Africa.
