THE Public Health Ministry has stepped up surveillance and screening measures for Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) as the World Health Organization is now preparing to raise the highest alert level over an outbreak sweeping through several African countries, Naewna newspaper said today (Aug. 11).
Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said 70% of Mpox cases in Africa are children with the death rate being 5%.
More than 15 countries have reported Mpox cases this year with over 90% of the cases being in Democratic Republic of the Congo and recent cases found in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda located to the east of this country.
What is worrying is that the number of Mpox cases has increased this year and while originally striking adults there is now a rapid increase of children catching it.
Clade 1 has been circulating in the DRC for years, while clade 2 was responsible for the global outbreak which began in 2022.
The current outbreak in the eastern DRC is caused by a new offshoot of clade 1, called clade 1b, which causes more severe disease than clade 2.
Dr. Opas said Clad 1b is more easily transmitted through close contact with patients who have blisters as well as pus-filled blisters with other symptoms including fever and sore throat.
It is recommended to avoid close contact with patients, wash hands often, and not share utensils with others.
The World Health Organisation’s emergency committee will be meeting next Wednesday to decide whether it should announce its highest alert level over the current Mpox outbreak in several African countries.
The ministry has assigned the Department of Disease Control to step up surveillance and screening measures, both at international infectious disease control checkpoints and hospitals.
Foreigners and Thais coming from countries where there is an outbreak are being informed to observe and report any symptoms of the infectious disease and to immediately see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment if they fall sick.
The general public was urged to not worry because Thailand has experience in dealing with Mpox outbreak during 2022-2023 when most of the patients were those who engaged in risky sexual practices.
CAPTION:
Top: The Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen a huge spike in Mpox cases this year, many of whom are in children under 15 years old. Photo: Reuters/Arlette Bashizi and published by Science.org
Insert: Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong. Photo: Thai Rath
Front Page: The Mpox virus (orange) infects cells depicted in green. Photo: NIAID and published by WHO
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