Thailand has reported its first case of monkey pox (monkeypox), in an air passenger from Europe who stopped over at Bangkok International Airport.
The traveler remained in transit for about two hours before boarding a flight to Australia, where he later developed symptoms, according to the Department of Disease Control.
Return of the risk of being quarantined for travelers
Twelve crew members and passengers on the same flight, who had close contact with the infected traveler, have been quarantined in Thailand.
None of them showed symptoms associated with monkeypox, but they will be isolated for 21 days to ensure their safety, according to the head of the Office of Epidemiology, Dr Chakkarat Pittayawonganon.
Lab tests carried out on five tourists in Phuket, including three Irish brothers, who were initially thought to have monkeypox after they developed blisters, show they were infected with herpes, said Dr. Chakkarat, not monkeypox.
See : Monkey pox in Thailand: Suspected cases actually had herpes
He added that background checks on the three brothers show they have not been in close contact with anyone infected with monkeypox.
The hunt for blisters
Regarding precautionary measures, Dr. Chakkarat said that a patient suspected of having monkeypox is a person:
- Presenting with blisters on the face and body,
- Having had close contact with an infected person in the last 21 days,
- Having traveled from a country where the disease appeared,
- Having participated in activities with infected persons or
- Having shared the same room as an infected person.
Dr Chakkarat said suspected cases will be subject to testing, background and risk checks, disease investigation, treatment and quarantine until it is proven. ‘they are free from disease.
Those infected will receive treatment and be isolated for 21 days after diagnosis.
Worldwide, 406 confirmed cases and 88 suspected cases were reported in 32 countries between May 7 and May 29.
Source : Thai PBS World