2-7-2023 (BANGKOK) Health authorities in Thailand are warning the public of a surge in monkeypox cases last month. Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, revealed that the country recorded 48 new cases in June alone, which is more than double the 21 new cases in May. Since Thailand reported its first case of monkeypox in July last year, the country has recorded 91 cases.
Alarmingly, all 48 new cases last month were recorded in men who have sex with men. Of these, 22, or 45.8%, had records of HIV infection. The majority of the new cases had sex without protection or had sex with strangers before falling ill. However, no patients developed severe symptoms or died.
The 48 new cases were mostly Thais, with seven foreigners among them. Thirty-eight lived in Bangkok, three in Samut Prakan, two each in Chon Buri and Nonthaburi provinces, and one each in Pathum Thani, Phuket, and Samut Sakhon.
Dr Tares urged men who have sex with men to take precautions and refrain from having sex with strangers or those suspected of being infected with monkeypox. He also advised people at risk to observe if they develop rashes on their sex organs, anuses, mouths, or bodies, or experience cold, headache, muscle ache, and swollen lymph nodes within 21 days of contact with patients. Those with symptoms should see a doctor without delay.
Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, pointed out that the spread of the disease in June reflected risky behaviour among men of reproductive age, especially men who had sexual relations with men.
