Thailand Closely Monitoring Monkeypox Infections

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government is closely monitoring the spread of the monkeypox disease after upgrading the status of the virus as a communicable disease on Tuesday.

 

The Ministry of Public Health stated that officials are preparing prevention measures for monkeypox following the decision by the ministry’s academic committee to classify the virus as a communicable disease. Authorities assured that no cases have been found in Thailand since screening measures for the virus began following the status upgrade.

 

Dr. Chakrarat Pittayawonganon, director of the Bureau of Epidemiology at the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said that monkeypox is less transmissible than the novel coronavirus. He explained that while most patients have recovered without medical intervention, there have been some severe cases, particularly in immunodeficient children.

 

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The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 131 confirmed monkeypox cases and 106 possible cases in 19 countries. Following the increase in infections, DDC director-general Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong said the department is screening international arrivals through the Thailand Pass system.

 

According to government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued a warning against illegal animal smuggling since these animals could potentially be the hosts of the virus. He also instructed officials to ramp up anti-smuggling measures along border areas to prevent the virus from entering the country.

 

The Ministry also advised people traveling to Europe and Africa to use extreme caution, avoid crowded areas, wash their hands frequently, and always wear a face mask in public to prevent contracting the disease.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-05-26

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[webfact]

Thailand Pass to be used in Monkeypox screening at airports with new RT-PCR test for the disease

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Details of the new screening process at all international airports in Thailand were given on Wednesday by Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the Head of the Department of Disease Control at the Ministry of Public Health. In two weeks, this may also include a new RT-PCR test for Monkeypox which is in development at Mahidol University at Ramathibodi Hospital. Travellers from Spain, the United Kingdom and Portugal are to be more closely inspected along with other passengers from 17 designated at-risk countries.

 

Thailand puts itself on alert against Monkeypox. Officials underline that there is no need for the public to panic at this time as the Ministry of Public Health begins screening for the disease which has not yet been declared a threat under the Communicable Disease Act 2015 but is being treated as one of interest that warrants further investigation.

 

Thai authorities are ramping up a screening process for the Monkeypox disease in respect of foreign tourists using an RT-PCR test which is in production together with incoming passenger declarations which will be coordinated through the country’s Thailand Pass online registration regime for foreign travellers.

 

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Visitors from Spain, the United Kingdom and Portugal are particularly to be examined by officials at the Ministry of Public Health in response to advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to enhance screening and surveillance against any possible threat posed by a new variation of the disease which, in the last week, has been detected in up to 20 countries where it was never endemic before.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/05/26/thailand-pass-used-in-monkeypox-screening/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-05-27

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[smedly]

for gods sake - anything to keep this going 

 

MP is a completely different disease and does not need any special attention 

 

more wood 

[RandiRona]

Let no disaster go to waste....

As you are on it, may I request $100000 baht insurance for Monkeypox, believe me...Tourists can take it.

[TheFishman1]

Thai pass Get rid of it TIT

[kotsak]

Bloody morons.. They can't get off the gravy train..

 

[sumongkhwai]

While communicable, it is only by direct contact with the infected person particularly the open pustules. While there may be a vaccine, I believe there are like 100K doses worldwide. And, as far as I know, the RT-PCR test for Covid does not detect it.

 

Since I haven't been a pool with a couple hundred men at the same time, just how will the ThaiPass address monkeypox? Given that our home is in Lopburi I reckon I shouldn't tell immigration that's where I'm off to.

[Dukeleto]

The problem with covid is trillions went into it and health departments have burgeoned into behemoths. With covid clearly on the out they are all sitting there twiddling there thumbs. Any sniff of a disease is an excuse to keep their inflated budgets from drying out. It really doesn’t help that butt licking WHO gave Thailand the Alice in wonderland “Biohub” award which was simply done to keep them onboard with these scamdemics. That f@€£!&g organisation needs to be shut down ASAP. They should be given the designated of BIOHAZARD!????

[cheapcanuck]

Anything to keep the money train on the tracks and rolling along. Milk tourists for all the baht they got.

It's the death to Thai tourism if pcr test required to enter the LOS.

[RichardColeman]

They seem to think that Thailand is some glorious country that people will fill out tons of paperwork for the privilege to enter. IT IS NOT TRUE. Stop this lunacy. Tourism will never hit three million this year at these loonies rate

[cnx101]

I see new scams being thought up as I read this

[Fairynuff]

Woohoo a whole new batch of conspiracy theories on their way to keep the forum excited.

[Homburg]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

a new RT-PCR test for Monkeypox which is in development at Mahidol University at Ramathibodi Hospital.

Monkey Business.

[thailand49]

What next?  Use TP screen for Jock Itch? ????

[Cadan]

The world has changed and people use now anything to keep the masses live in danger - surely comes with benefits to some ????????????

we will probably report In the future a farth that occurred on the North Pole by an ice bear that had high temperature - … world is going mad 

[Homburg]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issued a warning against illegal animal smuggling since these animals could potentially be the hosts of the virus

As could monkeys, which cross borders where and when they please.

[Skeptic7]

Have to admit, before the internal shutdown last year, but no tourists...it was GLORIOUS. Reminded me of early and mid-90s when my brother and I and, at very most, a handful of others were the only customers in Tilac or Pretty Lady or Rainbow 1. Sometimes we were the only customers. Far outnumbered by the pretty young things (and they all were back then), where as it's been the opposite for the past 2 decades. 10 dudes to every PYT. 

 

No skin off my nose if Thailand insists on shooting itself in the foot. Fact is...I prefer it. Open internally, but difficult for tourists to enter = Let the good times roll!!! ????

 

 

[ikke1959]

They are totally out of control.....Why ruin the country totally??? there are a few cases all over the world, yes it must be monitord, but nothing so far to worry about and a easy treatment to cure the disease.... So why again all kind of restrictions?

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, RandiRona said:

Let no disaster go to waste....

As you are on it, may I request $100000 baht insurance for Monkeypox, believe me...Tourists can take it.

While this continues the regime will use it as a tool to stay in control.

[hotchilli]

1 minute ago, ikke1959 said:

They are totally out of control.....Why ruin the country totally???

Because the military can rule a broken country, and keep it broken.

A stable country rejects military rule.

[Orinoco]

I think there is a strong Troop immunity already in Thailand. 

i'm sure we will all be fine.

[Nigeone]

Well I have news for them. Been looking at flights etc for later in the year as it all seemed to be going in the right direction. Not coming with mandatory face mask and lots of places closed. This Monkeypox and the seemingly actions suggested mean thats me holding off again. Ohh I have absolutly no issues with justfied controls but these now are just taking the P***. Sorry Thailand not getting my money till you sort your act out. And I'm sure I'm not alone thinking this.

[khunjeff]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the department is screening international arrivals through the Thailand Pass system.

In other words, when you fill out the Thailand Pass application, you're asked a few questions about MP symptoms that you could just as easily have answered on a screening card on arrival. But sure, let's pretend that we're protecting the country from human/ape hybrids through our glorious advanced technologies.

[bkk6060]

I want to come but am concerned about the cost of Monkeypox insurance.

Anyone know how much?

[RandiRona]

28 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Because the military can rule a broken country, and keep it broken.

A stable country rejects military rule.

Dude , time for you to get rid of your profile pic and change it to some incarnation of Buddha!!

Usual suspect if you understand what I mean ????????????

[ThailandRyan]

Just heard that a new test has been created to test for Monkeypox, will the madness never end here in Thailand.  Always has to be some money making scheme attached to a new illness.  Next they will be using Thai Pass to screen for those that might be smokers and drinkers with tests being done to check your alcohol level and nicotine in the bloodstream.....yes sarcasm, and no I do not drink and smoke, just an example of the ludicrous moves this government makes.....

[Chongalulu]

Every time I begin to question the harshness of my assessment of the intellectual capabilities in Thailand along comes something to substantiate and justify those initial prejudices. ???? 

[hotchilli]

2 minutes ago, RandiRona said:

Dude , time for you to get rid of your profile pic and change it to some incarnation of Buddha!!

Usual suspect if you understand what I mean ????????????

I thought the MOL looked good in my profile?

[Chongalulu]

8 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I want to come but am concerned about the cost of Monkeypox insurance.

Anyone know how much?

I contacted "Geezer" travel insurance company back in UK and the cockney I spoke to reckoned about a 'monkey' £…

[ThailandRyan]

36 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Have to admit, before the internal shutdown last year, but no tourists...it was GLORIOUS. Reminded me of early and mid-90s when my brother and I and, at very most, a handful of others were the only customers in Tilac or Pretty Lady or Rainbow 1. Sometimes we were the only customers. Far outnumbered by the pretty young things (and they all were back then), where as it's been the opposite for the past 2 decades. 10 dudes to every PYT. 

 

No skin off my nose if Thailand insists on shooting itself in the foot. Fact is...I prefer it. Open internally, but difficult for tourists to enter = Let the good times roll!!! ????

 

 

True, the tourism sector is wide open for going and enjoying oneself without any crowds.  Just returned from Kanchanaburi, where we went down the river, stayed in a great floating hotel and also visited all of the notable sites including some beautiful Temples. We were not asked to see vaccine certs, and never once asked where we came from.  Id shown were our Thai Pink ID cards to check in at the locales we stayed at.  I wonder if I had showed my US passport if they would have screened me......life for most is back to normal.