The Department of Disease Control has expressed concern over a surge in monkeypox cases in Thailand, especially among young people, as 145 new cases, including a 16-year-old boy, were recorded in August alone.
DDC Director-General Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong cited monkeypox infection statistics yesterday (Sunday) for the past four months: 22 cases in May, 48 cases in June, 80 cases in July and 145 cases in August.
Of all the 316 cases recorded in Thailand up to August 31st, 271 are gay men, accounting for 85.8% of all infections, 143 of whom also have HIV. 277 are Thais and 36 are foreigners with three cases of unspecified nationality. One fatality was recorded.
198 cases live in Bangkok, 22 in Chon Buri, 17 in Nonthaburi and 12 in Samut Prakan. 152 cases are in the 30-39 age group, 85 in the 20-29 age group and 28 in the 15-24 age group.
Only patients who develop serious symptoms and are admitted to hospitals are treated with the Tecovirimat medication, provided by the World Health Organisation for emergency use, said Dr. Tares.
Meanwhile, DDC Deputy Director-General Sophon Iamsirithavorn said that, during the initial period of monkeypox infections in Thailand, most cases were among adults but, since August, it has been observed that 16 cases were found to be teenagers, including a 16-year-old boy who fell sick on August 6th and was admitted to hospital on August 14th.
He said that the boy had sexual relationships with several people, prompting public health investigators to monitor the conditions those sexual partners, but none of them have been found to be infected.
He warned, however, that young people and gay men should practice safe sex, avoid close body contact with strangers and observe whether their partners have clear fluid blisters, rashes or pustules on their bodies, especially around the genitals.
