- Nationwide surveillance system established
- Treatment facilities ready at NIID
- Testing available at MRI
The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health has instructed entry ports nationwide to direct passengers arriving from high-risk areas, such as Central and Western Africa, who display symptoms of mpox to the health desk at the port.
The measure comes in response to Thailand’s confirmation of Asia’s first known case of a new, more dangerous strain of monkeypox (mpox) in a patient who travelled from Africa.
“We have a nationwide surveillance system in place, with treatment available at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) and testing facilities at the Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Borella. Isolation centres have also been prepared,” Epidemiology Unit Consultant Epidemiologist Dr. P.C.S. Perera told The Sunday Morning.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox symptoms range from mild to severe, including a rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash can appear on various body parts, including the face, hands, and genital areas.
Severe cases may involve extensive lesions, secondary infections, and complications like encephalitis or pneumonia, potentially requiring hospitalisation and antiviral treatment.
Most people recover with supportive care, but high-risk groups may face more severe outcomes. Mortality rates vary from 0.1% to 10%, influenced by factors like healthcare access and underlying health conditions.
Commenting on the Government’s level of preparedness, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe highlighted the importance of timely implementation of protocols to combat the situation.
“The protocol is there, but we have to implement it. Timely implementation is critical. At present, we have not found any patients in the country, but it could happen at any time, since a patient could enter the country at any moment.
“Entry points such as seaports and airports are crucial places. Surveillance systems in such areas should be strengthened to the maximum. That should be the main priority of these guidelines,” he said.
Dr. Wijesinghe added: “Tracing and finding contacts is equally important. Timely implementation, human resource deployment, as well as equipment are essential.”
He explained that, for the moment, mpox was diagnosed using PCR.
“According to the information we received, there is sufficient equipment to conduct the investigations. However, if we get more patients, we will have to update the system,” he added.
Responding to allegations levelled against the issuing of on-arrival visas, Dr. Wijesinghe said: “Whatever the visa process, the primary thing is to identify the people coming from risk areas, mainly the African continent and the countries where cases have been reported. Moreover, we have to identify people with symptoms such as fever and rash – sometimes the rash might not be visible. The main focus should be on people coming from risk areas.”
According to the Health Ministry, there are no confirmed cases in the country at present.