The Ministry of Public Health monitors the smallpox epidemic in Africa after WHO prepared to consider raising the level of an international emergency.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health reveals that smallpox In Africa, 70% of cases are children. A mortality rate of 5%, assigned to the Department of Disease Control to closely monitor. Readiness to update disease surveillance measures Both at international infectious disease control centers and all hospitals after the WHO prepares to consider declaring a heightened international public health emergency.

On August 11th Dr Opas Karnkawinpong Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Health Mention the issue of the World Health Organization reporting the outbreak of smallpox. that more and more cases are being found in Africa, with 15 countries reporting cases of smallpox this year. More than 90 percent of the patients are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), 70 percent of them are children. Countries where cases have recently been found are Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, which is located in eastern DR Congo, with a death rate of about 5 percent.

But what is worrying and needs to be monitored is that the number of patients with smallpox has increased significantly since last year. and from the original disease in adults But now there is a rapid increase in the number of pediatric patients. after finding a more infectious Clade Ib subspecies. From close contact with a patient who has pustules or secretions containing the virus. or having sex with a patient who has the virus The infected person will have visible symptoms, namely blisters or pus In addition to fever and sore throat, it is recommended to avoid close contact with sick people, hands wash often, and do not share tools with others.

Dr. Opas continued the Director-General of the World Health Organization invites a meeting of the expert group to consider whether it is appropriate to publish this new round of smallpox outbreak Is it a public health emergency ‘ is of international concern (Public Health Crisis of International Concern) to increase the transfer of resources to provide adequate support to countries with severe violations?

In Thailand the Ministry of Public Health has assigned the Department of Disease Control to update disease surveillance measures. Even at the international infectious disease control checkpoint and each hospital Coordinate and contact Thai people and foreigners traveling from countries with outbreaks to observe symptoms and report to infectious disease control officials. And if you suspect that you are sick after returning, you should see a doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment. To the general public Please do not worry. This is because Thailand has experience in dealing with smallpox, an emerging infectious disease, in the period 2022-2023, where most patients are those with risky sexual behaviour. And there is a system for monitoring, screening, and disease prevention and control that is standard and globally accepted.