The nation recorded 470 mpox cases and three deaths between Jan 1 and Oct 31, prompting its Department of Disease Control to urge people with suspicious symptoms to seek medical attention without delay.
Montien Kanasawadse, director-general of the department, reported the figures on Tuesday, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis, continued disease surveillance and measures to prevent further transmission.
He encouraged anyone who develops unusual rashes, blisters or sores, particularly after possible exposure to the virus, to consult a doctor and provide an accurate account of their symptoms and contact history.
Mpox remains a communicable disease subject to surveillance under Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act 2015 and the Thai Ministry of Public Health’s 2022 notification on diseases requiring surveillance.
Montien noted that mpox transmission remains a concern in several regions worldwide.
According to global figures cited by Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, 68,096 confirmed infections and 272 deaths were reported across 107 countries between Jan 1, 2025, and Aug 31.
The department attributed these figures to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report published on Sept 14.
It stressed that the international figures cover a different reporting period from Thailand’s 2026 statistics.
Montien explained that mpox can affect anyone exposed to the virus, making awareness of its symptoms and transmission routes essential.
Early signs commonly include fever, headaches, back pain, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes.
These may be followed by rashes or lesions on the skin, including the face, body and genitals.
However, the department emphasised that symptoms do not always appear in the same order, and patients may not experience every characteristic sign of the infection.
People should therefore seek medical advice if they notice unexplained rashes, blisters or sores, particularly following possible exposure, without waiting for the lesions to spread across their bodies.
Direk Khampaen, deputy director-general of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, explained that most people with mpox recover without requiring specialised treatment.
However, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and young children face a greater risk of severe illness and require closer medical assessment.
To reduce transmission, the department advised people to avoid direct contact with the skin or lesions of infected individuals. — The Nation/ANN
