The Ministry of Public Health confirmed Thailand’s fifth monkeypox case today (Monday), in a Thai woman who has recently returned to the country from Dubai.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the 25-year-old was found to have blisters on her body when she arrived at Suvarnabhumi international airport and was isolated in the airport’s quarantine facility.
Specimens were sent for lab tests, which confirmed a positive diagnosis. She is currently being treated in hospital.
The minister said that the woman was found to have had a sexual intercourse recently and was believed to have developed symptoms before her departure for Thailand. He added that officials had traced two of the passengers who had sat next to her on the flight to Bangkok and have advised them to monitor their condition.
The first monkeypox case in Thailand was a Nigerian in Phuket, who was confirmed to be infected on July 21st. The man then left for Cambodia, apparently to avoid medical treatment in Thailand, and was treated at a hospital in Phnom Penh.
The second was a 47-year-old Thai man with a history of engaging in unprotected sex. He was confirmed to be infected with monkeypox on July 28th and was admitted for treatment to a hospital in Bangkok.
The third was a German tourist in Phuket who was confirmed to be infected on August 3rd.
The fourth case was a Thai woman in Bangkok who was confirmed to be infected on August 5th.
