BANGKOK Governor Chadchart Sittipunt today (July 25) unveiled measures to handle Monkeypox in the metropolis with one of them being monitoring Nana area where there are Nigerians living together and taking proactive action if need be, Naewna newspaper said.
The steps were taken after the World Health Organisation had activated its highest alert level for the growing Monkeypox outbreak, declaring the virus a public health emergency of international concern on Saturday July 23.
It also follows the escape of a Monkeypox-infected Nigerian man from Phuket to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he was arrested on Saturday night and sent to Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital for treatment.
Chadchart said after a meeting of the Bangkok Executive Committee that key control measures include educating public health personnel about the symptoms of this disease.
Public health service centres, clinics, hospitals and pharmacies are being told to keep an eye on anyone who appears to have contracted this viral disease and immediately inform the Disease Control Department and the Health Bureau of suspected cases.
Moreover the Thai Hotel Association has been informed to alert all its members to watch their guests for Monkeypox symptoms and report any suspected cases to the authorities.
“Right now I haven’t seen any cases but officials have been told to monitor communities at risk, in Nana area there are Nigerians living together, if there is a risk proactive action must be taken.
“However right now there is no indication of any risk but we have to watch and closely monitor. Deputy Governor Tawida (Kamolvej) is following up. Bangkok residents are urged to not panic with information to be provided on how they should handle the situation,” Chadchart said.
Thailand is the 66th country in the world where Monkeypox has reached after the current outbreak started spreading in Europe and North America where the virus is not usually found. Historically, Monkeypox has spread at low levels in remote parts of West and Central Africa where rodents and other animals carried the virus.
The Disease Control Department will be holding talks with a medical committee today after which will announce the next level of surveillance.
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Top: A bar and an inn in Nana area.
Front Page: Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Both photos: INN News
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