Rise in meningitis cases sparks health concerns in Thailand ahead of new year

[webfact]

 

Thailand has recorded nearly 100 cases of meningitis, also known as swine fever, this year, resulting in four fatalities in Nakhon Ratchasima. The disease, caused by a bacterium found in raw pork and blood, is raising concerns as festivities for the new year approaches.

Dr Thaweechai Wisanuyotin, Director of the Disease Prevention and Control Office, revealed that between January 1 and November 25, there were 548 cases of meningitis in Thailand, with 26 fatalities. These cases were distributed across several provinces, with Nakhon Ratchasima recording the highest number with four deaths.

 

In Health Area 9, which includes Nakhon Ratchasima, there were 130 cases with six deaths during the same period. The province with the highest number of cases was Nakhon Ratchasima with 95 patients. The most affected occupations were labourers, accounting for 32.31%, followed by farmers at 31.54%, and housewives at 13.85%.

Dr Thaweechai warned about current online trends promoting the consumption of raw food combined with alcohol, which could lead to imitation behaviour and increased risk of disease transmission. He advised the public to consume pork properly, ensuring that it is thoroughly cooked at temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius for at least ten minutes. Other precautions include using separate utensils for raw and cooked pork, and not consuming raw pork with alcohol.

 

by Nattapong Westwood

PHOTO: via askapollo

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-06

 

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[ukrules]

[Gumballl]

Invite more Chinese tourists. They have the vaccine.

[hotchilli]

Rather strange op photo?

[Pique Dard]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Other precautions include using separate utensils for raw and cooked pork, and not consuming raw pork with alcohol.

... it won't help very much even for people like me who don't eat meat, because that bloddy disease, i'm told, is contagious.

Edited December 5, 2023 by Pique Dard
omission

[ikke1959]

Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges. The inflammation from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.

 

Swine fever and meningitis are not the same.... Swine fever can cause meningitis, please inform people properly

[stupidfarang]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Rather strange op photo?

farangs are to blame?

[mikebell]

That's why Thais cook pork by the side of the road for hours on end, marinating it all day in carbon monoxide and surrounding it with packs of wild dogs.

[Peterphuket]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Nogal vreemd op foto?

The patient in the photo will certainly not have meningitis, they are 2 whites in the picture, so also not Dr Thaweechai.