Three new monkeypox cases found in Thailand
This 2003 electron microscope image shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP, File)
Three new monkeypox cases were found in Thailand between March 13th and 23rd, bringing the number of cases to 18 since last year.
According to Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of Disease Control Department, the three new cases are two Thais and one foreigner, who has been living in Thailand for about a decade.
Aged from 27 to 40, the three men do not know each other, but two of them had sexual relationships with male strangers at entertainment venues. All three of them have been quarantined for observation.
Dr. Tares said health officials, from the department and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, have been sent to entertainment venues, in an attempt to identify those who were in close contact with the three and separate them for observation for three weeks.
Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn, deputy director-general of the department, said that the three new monkeypox patients are now being treated at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute and their conditions are improving.
He disclosed that the 15 other patients had already recovered and been discharged.
Globally, information up to March 23rd shows there have been 86,646 confirmed monkeypox cases in 110 countries, with 112 fatalities and the virus is still spreading among gay people.
