Thailand Reports 470 Mpox Cases, Three Deaths in 2024
Thailand's Department of Disease Control reported 470 cumulative mpox cases and three deaths as of October 31, 2024. The WHO recorded over 68,000 confirmed cases and 272 deaths globally across 107 countries from January 2023 through August 2024. Health officials urge anyone with symptoms or potential exposure to seek testing promptly and assure confidential, non-judgmental care.
On November 4, 2024, Dr. Maneethip Kanasawat, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), Ministry of Public Health, stated that mpox continues to spread in many regions worldwide. A World Health Organization (WHO) report published on September 14, 2024, indicated that between January 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024, there were 68,096 confirmed cases and 272 deaths across 107 countries. For Thailand, DDC data as of October 31, 2024, shows 470 cumulative cases and three deaths, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and encouragement for those with suspected symptoms to get tested. Note that the global and Thai figures cover different reporting periods.
Dr. Maneethip explained that mpox is currently a notifiable disease under the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015), per the Ministry of Public Health's announcement on names and key symptoms of notifiable diseases (No. 2) B.E. 2565 (2022), to support surveillance, reporting, and appropriate prevention and control measures.
He emphasized that the public should understand mpox correctly, especially transmission routes and symptoms to watch for. Some patients may develop rashes or lesions in covered areas such as the genitals or anus, causing reluctance to see a doctor. He urged anyone with suspicious symptoms to come forward for testing and to report symptoms and contact history truthfully so doctors can diagnose and plan appropriate care. Medical staff will provide services with understanding, respect for privacy, and patient confidentiality.
Regarding symptoms, Dr. Maneethip noted that early signs often include fever, headache, backache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. A rash or lesions then appear on the skin across the body, face, genitals, or anus. Some patients have only a few lesions. The rash typically starts as raised red spots, becomes clear-fluid vesicles, then pustules, and finally scabs over from the center outward. Lesions are usually scattered and separate. Some may experience anal pain. Symptoms and their sequence can vary; not all symptoms need be present. Anyone with abnormal rashes, lesions, or sores should see a doctor without waiting for spread, especially if they have had close contact with a suspected case.
Diagnosis requires evaluating symptoms, contact history, and laboratory results, as lesions can resemble chickenpox, shingles, or other skin infections. Visual inspection or photos alone cannot confirm the disease. The primary confirmation method is PCR testing for viral genetic material from lesion samples. Routine blood tests do not confirm mpox. If initial assessment is inconclusive or tests are negative but symptoms persist, lesions increase, or symptoms change, patients should return to the doctor with previous test results and treatment history for further evaluation or repeat sampling.
Deputy Director-General Dr. Direk Khampaen added that most mpox patients recover with symptomatic treatment, such as...
