Mpox in Thailand: News Archive, Case Statistics, and Expert Guidance

Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, advising health ministries around the world to closely monitor mpox developments and to maintain strict surveillance measures to prevent the disease. We therefore need to understand this disease well, both how to prevent it and how to recognize its symptoms. Today, Love Foundation has gathered mpox news from Thailand to keep everyone informed and up to date.

21 Aug 2024 - Department of Disease Control confirms Thailand's first case of mpox Clade 1b

On 22 August 2024, the Department of Medical Sciences reported test results detecting the mpox Clade 1b strain in a European patient who had traveled from Africa, marking the first such case in Thailand. The Minister of Public Health ordered stricter disease prevention and control measures.

The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said the case would be reported to the WHO in line with International Health Regulations (IHR) standards, and ordered disease control checkpoints nationwide, especially at Suvarnabhumi Airport, to tighten screening of travelers from countries with outbreaks, who must register through the Thai Health Pass and pass screening.

Of the 43 close contacts being monitored, none had shown symptoms so far, but they would be followed for 21 days. Anyone who develops unusual symptoms should seek hospital care immediately. Mpox typically causes rash, fever, headache, and muscle aches, but does not affect the respiratory system, so it is less contagious than COVID-19 or influenza. Infection occurs through close contact.

Source: thairath

21 Aug 2024 - Thailand's first suspected case of mpox, Clade 1B

On 21 August, Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, held a press conference about the first suspected case of mpox Clade 1B in Thailand, a traveler who had come from Africa.

Dr. Thongchai explained that it could not yet be confirmed 100% that the infection was Clade 1B, but the Department of Disease Control had decided to hold the press conference to give the public preliminary information, because there was a high likelihood that this patient had been infected with an mpox strain other than Clade 2B.

The patient arrived in Thailand on 14 August at 6:00 PM from Africa, changing planes in the Middle East. The next day (15 August), the patient began to feel feverish and developed small bumps, and sought care at a hospital. Initial testing showed it was not Clade 2, but testing for Clade 1B remained inconclusive. RT-PCR testing confirmed mpox, though further testing was needed to identify the exact strain.

Dr. Thongchai emphasized that the press conference was intended to give the public accurate information and to prevent the spread of rumors or misinformation.

"This suspected patient is fairly likely to have mpox and came from a country with a Clade 1B outbreak. We have a system for tracing contacts. Those seated within two rows of the patient on the same flight have been investigated - a total of 43 people, both Thai and foreign - including how they entered the airport, whom they met, and where they stayed. You can see that this patient had very little contact with others, arriving in Thailand at 6 PM and going to the hospital the next day. We are following contacts for about 21 days."

Asked about the patient's nationality, Dr. Thongchai said the patient was European, with mild, non-severe symptoms. He expected that by Friday it would be confirmed 100% which strain it was, including whether it was Clade 1B; if confirmed, it would be Thailand's first Clade 1B case. Initial findings showed no other illness.

Source: dailynews

19 Aug 2024 - Four hours in the same house can risk mpox infection

Emeritus Professor Dr. Wasun Chantratita, head of the Center for Medical Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, gave information about the strains of mpox (also known as monkeypox) at an academic seminar on genomics and precision medicine on 19 August. Mpox has two main clades: Clade 1 and Clade 2. The original Clade 1 had a mortality rate as high as 10%. However, the strain currently spreading is not the original Clade 1 but a mutated form, Clade 1b, with these key characteristics:

1. the mortality rate has dropped to 1%, which is encouraging
2. it is more easily transmitted than the strain that spread in 2022 (Clade 2b)

In Thailand, the strain currently found is Clade 2b, which is less severe than Clade 1b.

Risk of mpox infection after four hours in the same house

Emeritus Professor Dr. Wasun Chantratita gave further information about the spread of the new mpox strain, as follows:

1. The mortality rate in children is as high as 70%, indicating that this strain is transmitted more easily
2. Transmission can occur within the same household, especially among young children, through secretions and coughing or sneezing
3. Data from Africa indicate that being in the same house for just four hours can pose a risk of infection
4. Infection does not necessarily involve sexual contact; it can occur through contact with secretions or by rubbing the eyes with hands that have touched the virus
5. It is confirmed that transmission is not airborne

The professor also explained that mpox mutates differently from COVID-19 and that the exact cause of its faster spread is still unknown. Thailand, however, has a strong surveillance system run by the Department of Disease Control.

Source: hfocus

19 Aug 2024 - New mpox strain requires vigilance, more severe than before

Professor Dr. Yong Poovorawan, a clinical virology expert from Chulalongkorn University, warned the public via his personal Facebook page on 19 August 2024 about the outbreak of a new, more severe strain of mpox (MPOX).

For Thailand, Dr. Yong recommended that every mpox patient be monitored, with rapid diagnosis and strain identification, to prevent the spread of both the original and new strains within the country. These measures are crucial to controlling the outbreak and reducing the impact on public health.

Source: tnnthailand

14 Aug 2024 - WHO declares mpox a public health emergency of international concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern on 14 August 2024, following severe outbreaks in several African countries, particularly in the central and eastern parts of the continent. The disease was previously known as monkeypox.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated: "The outbreak of mpox in Africa is deeply concerning. We are seeing signs that the disease could spread to regions beyond Africa, so an urgent international response is needed to control the outbreak and save lives."

Source: bbc, thairath

30 May 2024 - Department of Disease Control steps up surveillance as mpox cases rise

Dr. Weerawat Manosuthi, a senior expert physician and spokesperson for the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said that from the first case in July 2022 through 20 May 2024, the mpox situation in Thailand was as follows:

• a total of 787 reported cases
• 768 were male
• accounting for 97%

Most lived in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, followed by Chiang Mai, Rayong, and Udon Thani, respectively. Data from the start of 2024 showed a gradual increase in cases, with an upward trend from mid-April, after the Songkran festival, through May - so vigilance, prevention, and risk reduction were needed.

Source: thairath

30 Oct 2023 - Mpox: 24 new cases reported in the past week

The Department of Disease Control reported that mpox cases were continuing to rise. In the past week, 24 new cases were reported, and one death was reported in a person living with HIV who had mpox. High-risk groups were urged to avoid sex with strangers or with anyone who had suspected mpox symptoms, to avoid parties involving intoxicants followed by sex, and to seek medical care immediately if suspicious symptoms appeared - to prevent severe illness, especially among people living with HIV.

Mpox situation in Thailand (data as of 28 October 2023):

• 559 total cases identified
• 2 deaths
• 503 Thai nationals
• 52 foreign nationals
• 4 of unspecified nationality

Most were from the LGBTQ+ community (474 cases), and 274 (44.18%) were known to be living with HIV. The most common age group was 30-39 years (241 cases), followed by 20-29 years (172 cases).

In the past week, 24 new cases were reported:

• Bangkok: 9 cases
• Chiang Mai and Nonthaburi: 3 cases each
• Phuket: 2 cases
• Nakhon Pathom, Chonburi, Pathum Thani, Prachinburi, Saraburi, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani: 1 case each

Regarding the most recent reported death of a person living with HIV who had mpox: the patient was a 24-year-old Thai man living with HIV who had been off treatment for three years, with a CD4 count of 3 cells per cubic millimeter (cells/mm³). He became ill on 25 August 2023 and sought care at a hospital with fever, fatigue, and a rash on his face, back, hands, and genital area. On 12 September 2023, he was transferred to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute because of severe symptoms, including skin necrosis on the nose, back, and fingers, and a secondary bacterial skin infection.

Because this patient's immune system was compromised, the mpox virus spread to his lungs, causing pneumonia, along with an opportunistic infection from cytomegalovirus (CMV). Although he was treated with tecovirimat for 28 days together with HIV antiretroviral drugs and treatment for the other infections found, tissue necrosis continued to spread. He later developed kidney failure and respiratory failure and ultimately died.

Source: pptvhd36

24 Oct 2023 - Vietnam reports that nearly all local mpox patients are living with HIV

On 24 October 2023, Xinhua News Agency reported that the Health Department of Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam had recorded that 18 of 20 local mpox cases tested positive for HIV.

The report said all of these mpox patients were being treated at the city's national tropical medicine hospital; two had severe symptoms, while the others were improving.

Meanwhile, the city's health sector found no factors linking foreign nationals to the current mpox cases. Local health authorities were stepping up measures to detect community infections, focusing on groups more susceptible to infection in hospitals, and to prevent the virus from entering through border checkpoints.

Source: ejan

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14 Aug 2023 - First mpox death, with co-infection of HIV and syphilis

On 14 August 2023, Dr. Tares Krasanairawiwong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said he had received a report of an mpox death from the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute. He sent a disease investigation and control team from the Division of Epidemiology and the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 6, Chonburi, to the field to investigate together with the Chonburi Provincial Public Health Office and relevant local agencies. From the field investigation:

The deceased was a 34-year-old man

• with a history of fever
• headache
• itching, with a rash and blisters appearing on various parts of the body

He was admitted to a private hospital in Chonburi on 11 July 2023. The doctor suspected mpox and sent a sample for confirmation, which detected the genetic material of the mpox virus. At the same time, testing also found HIV and syphilis infection. The patient later developed a sore throat and was found to have a fungal infection, an opportunistic infection associated with HIV, while the mpox rash spread across his body. After completing four weeks of treatment, the doctor allowed him to go home.

Later, on 9 August 2023, the patient developed fatigue and difficulty breathing, and his family brought him to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute. He was found to have the mpox rash spread across his body, tissue necrosis over wide areas of the nose and throat, secondary infections in the arms and legs, pneumonia, and encephalitis. His CD4 count was 16 cells per cubic millimeter (cells/mm³), indicating severe immunodeficiency. Doctors gave him antiviral medication for mpox along with antibiotics, but his condition worsened and he died on the night of 11 August 2023.

Latest situation, data as of 8 August 2023

• a total of 189 reported mpox cases in Thailand
• 161 Thai nationals
• 28 foreign nationals

Most patients were men who have sex with men, and 82 (43%) were also living with HIV. The main risk factor was having sex with strangers who were infected with mpox.

Source: prachachat

Mpox news, 24 Mar 2023 - Thailand's Department of Disease Control finds three more mpox cases

On 24 March 2023, Dr. Tares Krasanairawiwong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, described the mpox situation from around July 2022 to the present: Thailand had found a cumulative total of 18 confirmed mpox cases, with the three most recent in treatment at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute - all men, aged roughly 27-40 - who had gradually been admitted over the past week. Two of these three were men who knew each other and had close contact.

Preliminary investigation found no chain of onward transmission, since mpox spreads through close contact and contact with pus-filled lesions. The importance of health care was emphasized: because mpox is transmitted through close contact, people should be cautious about having sex with strangers to prevent transmission.

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithaworn, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, added that mpox remained a disease requiring vigilance. Based on the number of confirmed cases found in Thailand since the previous year, an average of 1-3 cases were found per month, and in some months none at all. Nonetheless, people should avoid contact with anyone who has pus-filled lesions on the body, while the general public need not worry about mpox.

If people have no high-risk behavior, maintain good personal hygiene, and do not touch pus-filled lesions, the chance of contracting the disease is very low. As for future events celebrating sexual diversity, the reminder is to avoid having sex with strangers; anyone who is ill or has pus-filled lesions on the body should not attend such events.

Source: pptvhd36

Mpox news, 24 Oct 2022 - Thailand finds its 12th mpox case, a traveler from Oman

Dr. Tares Krasanairawiwong, Acting Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said a new mpox case had been reported: a 25-year-old male tourist from Oman who arrived in Thailand on 3 October 2022 and flew directly to Phuket on 4 October 2022, traveling with four friends.

His history showed that he had visited entertainment venues and an Arabic restaurant, but he denied having sex and denied being a sexual minority.

• On 11 October 2022, he began to have fever, cough, and headache, with pustules appearing on his body, genital area, legs, and chest.
• On 18 October 2022, he sought treatment at Patong Hospital, Phuket, and the hospital collected samples and sent them for testing to the Regional Medical Sciences Center 11/1, Phuket.

PCR testing confirmed the presence of the monkeypox virus, making him the 12th confirmed case. His three companions showed no symptoms. The risk factors for infection were under investigation.

Source: komchadluek, ch7

17 Oct 2022 - Case 11: a 40-year-old Thai man returned from Qatar

On 17 October 2022, Dr. Tares Krasanairawiwong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, said a new mpox case had been reported: a 40-year-old Thai man who had worked as a massage therapist in Qatar. He became ill on 8 October 2022 with fever and a rash on his hips, arms, and hands, showing symptoms before returning to Thailand.

On 15 October 2022, he arrived in Thailand and went to a private hospital in Pathum Thani. The doctor's initial diagnosis was consistent with mpox, so he was referred to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of the mpox virus, making him Thailand's 11th confirmed case. The disease investigation was ongoing.

Source: ejan

Mpox news, 30 September 2022 - Two more mpox cases in Phuket, Thailand's 9th and 10th

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, received a report from the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 11, Nakhon Si Thammarat, that two mpox cases had been found - Thailand's 9th and 10th confirmed cases, in Phuket province. Their histories showed they had been in close contact with each other.

Confirmed case 9 was a 37-year-old Thai woman working as a service worker. She became ill on 16 September 2022 with fever, sore throat, and body aches. She reported close contact with a 54-year-old German man. On taking her history, the doctor found she had not been in contact with anyone who had a rash or skin lesions and had not traveled abroad in the 21 days before falling ill, but did have a history of close contact with foreigners. The doctor diagnosed suspected mpox and sent samples for laboratory testing. On 26 September 2022, PCR testing confirmed the monkeypox virus. The Department of Disease Control sent a disease investigation team from the Division of Epidemiology.

Together with the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 11, Nakhon Si Thammarat, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, and local hospitals, the investigation was carried out from 27 to 30 September 2022 to identify high-risk contacts. This led to the German man, who became confirmed case 10, based on PCR test results. The investigation data indicated transmission through close contact.

Source: komchadluek, ch7

16 September 2022 - Case 8: a 23-year-old Thai man returned from Qatar

On 16 September, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute had reported an mpox case: a 23-year-old Thai man with no underlying conditions who had worked in Qatar. The initial investigation found he had had sex with a man who had pimple-like lesions on his back, and he began to feel ill on 8 September 2022.

• headache
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• fever and chills
• muscle aches and back pain
• a rash on the right palm, left middle finger, left armpit, left arm, back, buttocks, and anus

In total, there were approximately 15 lesions.

The patient returned to Thailand from Qatar on 13 September 2022. After arriving, he had contact with two Thai friends: with the first, he went to the friend's room to collect belongings, ate together, and used the bathroom in the room; with the second, he left a bag with the friend without entering the room. Neither friend touched the patient's skin or the areas with lesions. On 14 September 2022, he went to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, where the doctor collected samples for testing at the institute and the Department of Medical Sciences. "The result found the mpox virus."

"In summary, the patient had symptoms while abroad and was already ill during his journey. However, he had no history of going into the community or joining crowded activities. After noticing the suspicious symptoms, he sought medical care immediately."

Source: mgronline, pptvhd36

Mpox news, 13 September 2022 - US reports its first death, in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, together with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued a statement on 12 September 2022, local time, announcing that a Los Angeles resident had died from mpox infection - the city's first such death.

The statement said the deceased had severe immunodeficiency and had been hospitalized. No further details were released, to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the deceased.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor in the infectious diseases unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told CNN that severe immunodeficiency prevents the body from managing a virus that enters it; as the virus multiplies and spreads to various organ systems, it can lead to organ dysfunction.

Source: prachachat, news.ch7

28 August 2022 - Mpox case 7 found, with fever and pustules and a history of close contact with a high-risk group

On 28 August 2022, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said he had received a report from the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute of a confirmed 7th mpox case, a female patient living in Bangkok. He assigned the disease investigation team from the Division of Epidemiology to go to the site, together with epidemiology officers from the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, to carry out the investigation on 27 August 2022.

According to her history, she was a 37-year-old Thai woman with an underlying condition, living alone in Bangkok, with no history of contact with rodents and no travel to countries with outbreaks. She had a history of sexual contact with a foreign man before falling ill. From the disease investigation and the medical records of the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, it was found that:

In the three weeks before falling ill, she had gone to a nightlife area popular with foreigners.

• On 20 August 2022, the patient began to have a low-grade fever
• On 21 August 2022, small pus-like bumps appeared around the anus
• On 22 August 2022, more of the same pustules appeared and her symptoms worsened

She then sought treatment at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute. Later, on 26 August 2022, the doctor collected samples for laboratory testing from blood, pustules, and the throat using real-time PCR. The mpox virus was found in all samples.

In addition, the patient had a history of visiting an elderly relative, resulting in three high-risk close contacts. Relevant agencies were therefore instructed to closely monitor the three high-risk close contacts for symptoms. The last day of contact with the patient was 21 August 2022, and the monitoring period would end on 11 September 2022.

Source: pptvhd36

Mpox news, 26 August 2022 - MOPH confirms Thailand's 6th mpox case, a Thai woman recently returned from Qatar

The Department of Disease Control reported Thailand's 6th confirmed mpox case: a Thai woman working as a Thai massage therapist who returned from Qatar and tested positive for mpox at a hospital in Maha Sarakham province.

On 26 August, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said that on 24 August 2022 a report came from Phayakkhaphum Phisai Hospital, Maha Sarakham, that a confirmed mpox case had been found: a 21-year-old Thai woman who had worked as a Thai massage therapist in Qatar.

• On 10 August 2022, small bumps appeared on the genital area
• On 21 August 2022, she returned to Thailand and went home to Maha Sarakham province
• On 22 August 2022, she saw a doctor at Phayakkhaphum Phisai Hospital and was found to have clear fluid-filled bumps and symptoms consistent with suspected mpox, so samples were collected for testing
• On 24 August 2022, test results confirmed the mpox virus, via the Department of Medical Sciences

The search for close contacts identified 28 people - 4 high-risk and 24 low-risk - and all were advised to monitor their own symptoms.

"In summary, the patient had symptoms since being abroad. During travel she had only a minor rash, in a covered area. She protected herself while traveling by wearing a mask and keeping distance from other passengers. This is Thailand's 6th case."

Source: pptvhd36

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23 August 2022 - Vajira Hospital announces that Bangkok's first mpox patient has cleared the infectious period and been discharged

The Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital announced that Bangkok's first mpox patient had recovered, cleared the infectious period, and left the hospital on 22 August. Assistant Professor Dr. Jakkrawut Maneerit, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, signed the second announcement reporting on Bangkok's first mpox case, stating that:

Vajira Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, had earlier reported Bangkok's first mpox case on 28 July. Throughout that time, the hospital had kept the patient in an isolation ward and provided standard care, and the patient's condition steadily improved.

All lesions had now crusted and fallen off, the skin was normal, and the infectious period had passed. The doctors therefore decided to discharge the patient from the hospital on 22 August, which had been completed.

Source: mgronline

Mpox news, 22 August 2022 - First case of simultaneous mpox, COVID-19, and HIV infection, linked to sex without a condom

In Italy, a man was found to be infected with three viruses at the same time:

• mpox
• COVID-19
• HIV-1

According to the medical publication Journal of Infection, which reported the case, the mpox patient had a history of returning from Spain, where he had had sex with a man without a condom or another prevention method. He had initial symptoms of fever, fatigue, sore throat, headache, and swollen lymph nodes; a COVID-19 infection was then detected. He was hospitalized and had pustules on his arms, torso, palms, fingers, legs, and hips.

"Laboratory confirmation from the hospital confirmed that this patient had the mpox strain circulating in Spain, was co-infected with the COVID-19 BA.5.1 strain, and also had HIV-1 in his body. It is possible that he had acquired HIV not long before and did not realize he was infected."

For anyone worried that COVID-19 and mpox might combine into a new virus, the answer is definitely no: COVID-19 uses RNA as its genetic material, while mpox uses DNA.

"Therefore, these two viruses are very unlikely to combine."

Source: ejan, thaipbs

17 August 2022 - Department of Disease Control reiterates: condoms do not prevent mpox

On 17 August 2022, the Department of Disease Control released an infographic titled "Stop risky behavior for mpox," stating that stopping sex with strangers or multiple partners can prevent mpox. Although condoms can prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), they cannot prevent mpox, because close skin-to-skin contact can transmit it.

In addition, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, said during the press briefing confirming the 5th mpox case on 15 August 2022 that mpox is not easily transmitted or severe. The virus is usually found in the pus-filled lesions on a patient's skin. The Department therefore advised the public - as well as travelers going to countries with mpox outbreaks or living abroad - to protect themselves from mpox by wearing masks to reduce contact with droplets or secretions from patients or infected animals, washing hands frequently with soap, avoiding contact with bodily fluids, avoiding close contact with infected people, and avoiding sex with strangers.

Source: Department of Disease Control, ejan

15 August 2022 - WHO renames mpox strains as clades

Xinhua News Agency reported that the World Health Organization issued a statement on Friday (12 August) announcing new names for the currently spreading mutated strains of the mpox virus, to avoid cultural or social stigma.

The WHO designated new names for the two main strains of the mpox virus.

The Congo Basin strain is now called Clade I.

The West African strain is now called Clade II.

Clade II is further divided into two sub-strains:

• Strain IIa
• Strain IIb

Strain IIb is the main group of viruses currently spreading worldwide.

The organization said these new names should be adopted immediately, and that newly discovered viruses, related diseases, and sub-strains should be named in ways that avoid cultural, social, national, regional, occupational, or ethnic stigma and minimize negative effects on trade, travel, tourism, or animal welfare.

Source: chiangmainews

15 August 2022 - Fifth mpox case identified, a 25-year-old woman, at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Thailand reported its 5th confirmed mpox case: a 25-year-old Thai woman who had been living abroad and became ill there, then returned from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, arriving in Thailand on 14 August. Staff at the international communicable disease control checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport, who screen, examine, and observe travelers, flagged her as a suspected case because she appeared unwell; on approaching her, they noticed a lesion. She cooperated fully during questioning and was taken for diagnostic testing at a hospital. Laboratory results confirmed mpox, and she entered standard treatment.

Her history was being investigated through normal channels. Preliminary information indicated she had had close contact with foreigners, since she had been living abroad. Places where foreigners gather are considered outbreak areas, particularly the Middle East, a hub where people from around the world converge and thus a risk point. Thailand also has considerable international traffic, but this disease is not easily transmitted or airborne; it is transmitted through genuine close contact. Living normally, there is no need to worry.

Source: springnews

5 August 2022 - Fourth mpox case confirmed, with a history of visiting entertainment venues

The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, revealed on 5 August 2022 that the Department had received a report of a confirmed mpox case, Thailand's 4th. The patient was a 22-year-old Thai woman with a history of visiting entertainment venues in Bangkok - an area popular with foreigners for nightlife - roughly once a week, and had been in close contact with a foreign man. She began to have a fever on 29 July 2022 but still went to an entertainment venue with Thai and foreign friends.

On 30 July 2022, small bumps appeared on her arms and legs and spread over her whole body, including the genital area. On 3 August 2022, she went to a hospital in Samut Prakan province for treatment. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the mpox (Monkeypox) virus, via the Department of Medical Sciences and the laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, on 4 August 2022, before she was transferred to the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute of the Department of Disease Control.

Source: thecoverage

3 August 2022 - Third mpox case confirmed, traveled to Phuket

The Department of Disease Control reported a confirmed mpox case, Thailand's 3rd, who had traveled to Phuket. Initially, no high-risk close contacts had been found. As for a vaccine, it was expected to be available no later than that September, while the Immunization Committee had set two priority groups: the first, people with no history of infection but at high risk, such as medical personnel and laboratory staff; the second, people with a history of contact with mpox patients. The Department of Medical Services reported that all patients required hospital treatment.

The confirmed 3rd case was a 25-year-old German man who traveled to Thailand on 18 July 2022 at Phuket; the province was preparing to report the patient's timeline to the Department of Disease Control. He began to show symptoms soon after arriving in Thailand, so he was believed to have been infected abroad. He reported having come to Thailand on vacation and traveling back and forth frequently. His close contacts were being followed up and screened for mpox; initially no infections were found among them, but under the guidelines he would be observed for 21 days and could go anywhere while being cautious about close contact with others.

Source: thaich8

28 July 2022 - Second mpox case found in Bangkok; Ministry of Public Health urges investigation

Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, said he had received a report from the Director-General of the Department of Disease Control that the Department of Medical Sciences had that day carried out laboratory tests confirming Thailand's 2nd mpox case, from Vajira Hospital, Bangkok. The patient was a 47-year-old Thai man with a history of sex with a foreign man. He developed suspected symptoms on 12 July 2022; two days later he began to have fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes, and a week after that a rash on his genital area, body, face, and arms and legs, so he went to the hospital. He was admitted and under observation, and authorities were tracing his contacts and monitoring symptoms for 21 days.

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, added that this man had lived in Bangkok, under the jurisdiction of the Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention, part of the Department of Disease Control. The institute had already investigated and found 10 household contacts, who were being tested for the virus and observed for 21 days. Meanwhile, the disease investigation team was working quickly to find further contacts. The public were advised that anyone concerned they might have mpox symptoms could contact a hospital for testing.

Source: matichon

Mpox news, 21 July 2022 - Department of Disease Control confirms Thailand's first mpox case

Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, announced Thailand's first confirmed mpox case: a man from Nigeria who had arrived in Phuket. In the latest update that day, 21 July, the Department was notified by a private hospital in Phuket of a suspected mpox case, so it sent a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) from the Division of Epidemiology and the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 11, Nakhon Si Thammarat, to investigate together with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office and relevant local agencies. Since 18 July 2022, it was found that the patient was a 27-year-old Nigerian man with a travel history from Nigeria.

The findings confirmed this as the first mpox case found in Thailand. The Department of Disease Control coordinated with the Phuket Provincial Communicable Disease Committee to assign disease control officers to follow up, find additional patients, and intensively assess the risk of transmission in the responsible area.

Source: thainewsonline

Verified references

Links and relevance to the article’s main topic were reviewed on 13 August 2026. Each source supports only the scope stated in the original document and does not replace personalised medical, legal, or service advice.

1. WHO: Mpox fact sheet Accessed 13 August 2026
2. CDC: About Mpox Accessed 13 August 2026