Thailand’s discovers 1st case of Monkeypox, asks public not to panic, affirms it can handle situation

Thailand has reported that it has discovered its 1^st case of the fast spreading ‘Monkeypox’ disease with the Department of Disease Control coming out to say that it has measures in place to tackle any situation that may arise from the discovery.

The Department of Disease Control came out to say that there was no need for the population to go on a panic mode as the agency has formulated a scheme to undertake surveillance and isolate the patients who may be infected.

Monkeypox, which has spread at rapid pace across the world, and countries around the world are having a difficult time trying to control the spread as demand for vaccines are outstripping the supply, has started to appear in Asia over the past few weeks.

Countries such as India, Singapore and now Thailand along with Australia have all reported the virus in their respective countries.

The virus, which has spread in the United States where more than 2,000 cases have so far been reported, has been described as being a painful experience with some comparing it to ‘walking zombies.

 Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the incumbent Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said that the infected man is a 27-year old Nigerian, who recently traveled from Nigeria. He said that the incident was reported in a private hospital in Phuket and Disease Prevention and Control from Nakhon Si Thammarat were dispatched to the scene immediately. The infected man was 1^st diagnosed on July 18^th.

No further details were provided by the Department of Disease Control except that people are encouraged to remain isolated and not share personal belongings with those infected or suspected with infection of Monkeypox.

As of July 17^th the number of confirmed cases worldwide stood at 12,608, and the number of confirmed cases has spread to 66 countries.

The top 5 countries with high cases are

• Spain with 2,835
• Germany 1,859
• USA 1,813
• UK 1,778
• France 908