Today (23 November 2023) Dr. Thongchai Keeratihathayakorn, Acting Director General of the Department of Disease Control, has announced the outbreak of smallpox in Thailand. (Confirmed patient information as of November 18, 2023) A total of 627 people have been infected, including 566 Thais, 57 foreigners, and 4 of unspecified nationality, including 2 deaths. It is considered an infectious disease that still needs to be monitored. An ever-increasing number of infected people have been diagnosed with it, which is often contracted through close skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash, bumps or abscesses, and by sharing personal items with people who have smallpox.
Common symptoms of smallpox include rash, fever and muscle aches, Dr. Thongchai said. Enlarged lymph nodes and itching, which occurs about 5-21 days after exposure. If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately. Testing for infection in every hospital across the country. You will know the test results within 1-5 days while waiting for free test results. It is recommended to separate individual items. and separate areas with household residents to prevent the spread of infection to infected persons who have already shown symptoms may spread the infection Once the blister or wound has dried and the wound has healed, the period of transmission is over. This may take around 2-4 weeks.
However, if you are diagnosed with smallpox infection you should immediately seek free treatment according to treatment rights. In the case of patients with mild symptoms there are no other diseases involved. Treat symptomatically and in patients with high risk factors for severe disease, including HIV-infected patients with CD4 immune cell counts >200 cells/cubic mm., pregnant patients, patients with skin conditions or associated allergic rashes, chicken pox, psoriasis, etc. There are complications with skin diseases or severe symptoms. Treatment is with an antiviral drug called tecaviramide. The Department of Disease Control has supported hospitals at no charge to use it to treat such patients to reduce the risk of complications. But if you are admitted to hospital, it is not your right to get treatment and other treatment costs. The cost of an antiviral drug, tecavirmod, is additional
Smallpox can be prevented. Avoid close contact with an infected person such as sex, hugging, kissing, touching, touching rashes, bumps or pus, and washing your hands frequently. and do not share personal items with others For more information, call the Department of Disease Control hotline at 1422.
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Information: Division of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Bureau of Risk Communication, Department of Disease Control
November 23, 2023
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