Border checkpoints tighten screenings for monkeypox

Monkeypox screening measures have been tightened at all disease control checkpoints handling travellers arriving in the kingdom, following the recent detection of Thailand's third case of the viral disease.

The Public Health Ministry on Wednesday recorded the country's third monkeypox case, a German visitor in Phuket. He was the second detected on the holiday island.

Screening is done at all disease control checkpoints on travellers arriving by air, land and sea, said Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Those who have suspected symptoms are encouraged to consult a doctor.

The government is ordering vaccines for those who may need them, he said.

Under current guidelines, all suspected cases must stay in hospital for observation while awaiting results of lab tests, he said.

Clinics and smaller facilities are advised to transfer any cases to a larger hospital.

In Phuket, the Thai wife of the German patient tested negative for the disease.

Provincial health office chief Koosak Kukiatkul said yesterday a lab test showed she was not infected with the virus.

The couple arrived on July 18 to stay with relatives in Muang district. He began showing symptoms five days later. His wife and six others were placed in isolation.

Dr Koosak did not mention the lab test results of the others. He said on Wednesday a preliminary check showed none had the virus.