One resort country after another announces the development of methods to protect against the penetration of a new disease that has become “famous” in the media, namely monkeypox. Following in the footsteps of Turkey, Thailand has announced the creation of a special emergency center to monitor the spread of monkeypox. At the same time, the Thai Ministry of Health has hinted that special measures are waiting for such an “industry” as sex tourism – because one of the ways the virus is transmitted is through sexual contact.
The country reminded that the disease is currently detected in at least 12 countries, although at this stage in very small quantities. According to Dr. Opas Karnkavinpong, a virologist and director-general of the Department of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, the agency was “monitoring the outbreak, even if the virus has not yet been reported.” The Thai government has instructed the Ministry of Health to set up a Public Health Crisis Management Center as a precautionary measure and said it would monitor travelers from at-risk countries, the expert added.
The doctor also mentioned what the officials would pay attention to – first of all, from which country the tourist came. “Thailand now needs to be alert, especially when it comes to visitors from areas of Africa where monkeypox is endemic. But to date, the virus has been reported in the United States, Australia, and Canada, as well as in several European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. To date, more than 100 cases of the disease have been registered in Europe, “he said. We can assume that tourists from these countries will be more closely monitored. “The department closely monitors people who come from those countries that are most at risk. Between 1 and 22 May, 13,142 travelers arrived from England, 1,352 from Spain, and 268 from Portugal,” Mr. Opas reported.
The expert also noted that people can become infected with monkeypox through close contact with an infected person or animal. “Human-to-human transmission is limited but can occur through body fluids, respiratory drops, and contaminated materials. At this stage, most of the transmission of the virus from person to person occurs through sexual contact,” he added. Sex tourists will also be in control and it is now being decided exactly how.
Also read: What is known today about the outbreak of “monkeypox” and how it can affect tourism
Locals and tourists were also urged to avoid eating wildlife and importing animals from unidentified countries. And in addition – telling the main symptoms of the disease. Mingqwan Wichaidit, director of the Thai Institute of Dermatology, said they included fever, muscle aches, headaches, and lymphadenitis for the first 3 days. This is followed by a rash on the face, which spreads to other parts of the body. The rash turns into blisters and then crusts between 14 and 21 days. Ming Kwan says the symptoms last 2 to 4 weeks. Tourists were also asked to wash their hands often with soap and alcohol during the day and “avoid touching wild animals.”
Read about the measures taken in Egypt at this link.