by Natthaphon Sangpolsit

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thai health authorities have reassured that there are currently no monkeypox cases in the kingdom, but asked hospitals and healthcare facilities to continuously monitor for possible infections.

 

The Ministry of Public Health recently addressed false claims concerning monkeypox, including misinformation suggesting that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine increases the risk of monkeypox transmission.

 

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) said COVID-19 vaccines do not increase the risk of monkeypox infection, while noting that conventional smallpox vaccines are 85% effective in preventing monkeypox.

 

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The DDC also denied a report claiming that monkeypox cases were detected in Ko Chang, Trat. These cases were discovered to be simian malaria infections in humans, with mosquitos being the primary vector.

 

The Ministry of Public Health has activated screening protocols for international arrivals to prevent the introduction of monkeypox. Travelers, especially those from at-risk countries, who have a fever at over 38 degrees Celsius along with at least one other symptom - such as sore throat, headache, myalgia, swollen lymph nodes and rashes - will be examined.

 

The ministry has ordered hospitals, skincare clinics and clinics for sexually transmitted diseases to be on high alert for potential monkeypox infections, while also preparing laboratories, medical supplies and disease investigation teams.

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-05-28

 

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It looks like the ministry itself created climate for those rumours spreading in social media. 
If they were not doing airport screening on entry, ordering vaxes, setting multiple bodies dealing with this issue, the majority of thai would never heard about. 
That as on purpose they were creating a climate of fear, on top of still very deep rooted now covid panic. 
I don't think any other country is reacting so proactively as thailand now. Its just wasting resources on non-existing presently infection, which is mild, preventable and curable (there are already available medicines). 
That's just deflection from the other much more serious health concerns, like cancer and similar chronic illness, some being preventable by early health screening and fast medical care.  For the last 2 years those screening programmes are neglected, much lowered in scale, some suspended. That would have impact on mortality for the next 10 years.

Thailand, as well as health system in all countries, has a backlog of screening and treating the other deadly illnesses.

If officials want media spot, why not tell about 11 cases of malaria on Koh Chang in Trat province? Blame foreign tourist for creating danger with monkeypox, but don't tell about domestic danger when they are coming in

Edited May 30, 20224 yr by internationalism