A Thai doctor has urged the public not to panic about monkeypox as no cases have been detected in Thailand since 1970.
After several Western countries including France, Germany, Britain and the United States, Israel, Switzerland and Greece reported cases of monkeypox in a human on Saturday (May 21).
Doctor Yong Poovorawan said on his Facebook account on May 20 that monkeypox is not a new disease.
It is similar to chickenpox, but the severity and transmissibility of monkeypox is much less.
Human-to-human transmission of monkeypox is possible but requires very close contact, e.g. B. touching pustules or secretions, sharing clothes, sleeping in the same bed and raising animals with the disease.
He explained :
“In the past there was no monkeypox pandemic, only in certain groups in Africa and occasionally in Europe and America.
And cases have been reported in Singapore.
This time it could be sexually transmitted in England but investigations are ongoing and we’re still awaiting confirmation.”
“The virus is classified in the same group as smallpox.
Therefore, it is believed that the smallpox vaccine can prevent this disease.
However, this must be investigated and confirmed by further steps.
There is no need to panic. Infection requires very close contact.”
“However, surveillance is essential, particularly for people traveling from West and Central Africa and for people importing animals into the Kingdom,” concluded Dr. Yong.
Source: The Pattaya News