猴痘爆發：泰國目擊 LGBTQ+ 社區內病例激增
資料來源：米奇·康納 / Thailand News
照片由 Freepik 提供
本週，泰國衛生官員報告稱，泰國境內的猴痘病例大幅增加，並向同性戀群體中的男性發出嚴厲警告，他們的風險似乎有所增加，在猴痘疫情持續爆發的情況下採取必要的預防措施。
疾病控制部門負責人 Tares Krassanairawiwong 博士在今天的新聞發布會上透露，繼去年 7 月該國出現首例猴痘病例後，此後又記錄了 91 例感染病例。 他說…
「令人震驚的是，僅上個月，我們就看到新增病例激增約 48 例。 這大約是 5 月份記錄數字的 2.3 倍，5 月份僅為 21 例」。
他進一步指出，最近的 48 例診斷均來自同性戀、LBGTQ+ 群體，令人震驚的是，其中近一半（即 22 人，即 45.8%）有愛滋病毒感染史。
對 48 例新發猴痘病例的詳細分析顯示，大多數是泰國國民，其中 41 例為泰國國民，其餘為外國人。 據《曼谷郵報》報導，這些新病例中有 38 例居住在首都曼谷，北欖府發現 3 例，春武里府有 2 例，暖武里府地區有 2 例，巴吞他尼府、普吉島和龍仔厝各有 1 例。
塔雷斯博士詳細介紹說，大多數新的猴痘爆發病例似乎都表現為在患病前沉溺於無保護性交或與陌生人發生親密關係的個人。 他補充說，積極的一面是，患者中沒有觀察到嚴重症狀或死亡。
他也嚴厲警告……
「除了避免與身份不明的人發生性關係之外，還可以透過抵制與感染患者或表現出潛在猴痘感染跡象的人的密切接觸來主動避免這種疾病」。
他進一步建議潛在風險群體認識到潛在症狀，例如性器官、肛門、口腔或全身部位周圍出現皮疹或出現流感樣症狀。 這些症狀包括普通感冒、頭痛、肌肉拉傷和淋巴結腫大，這些症狀可能會在與感染患者接觸後 21 天內出現。 鑑於猴痘疫情爆發，他敦促出現任何跡象的個人尋求緊急醫療介入。
疾病控制門副首長 Sophon Iamsirithaworn 博士將 6 月份猴痘疫情的指數級的傳播歸因於育齡男性，尤其是同性關係的男性中觀察到的高風險行為。
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Monkeypox outbreak: Thailand witnesses spike in cases within the LGBTQ+ community
Mitch Connor / Thaiger
Photo Courtesy of Freepik
A significant rise in monkeypox cases within Thailand was reported by health officials this week, issuing a stern warning for men within the gay community, who seemed to be at an increased risk, to exercise necessary precautions amidst the ongoing monkeypox outbreak.
Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, heading the Department of Disease Control, disclosed in today’s press conference that, following the occurrence of the country’s inaugural monkeypox case in July of the previous year, an additional 91 infections have since been logged. He said…
“It is alarming that last month alone, we saw a horrifying spike with around 48 new cases. This is approximately 2.3 times the figures recorded in May, which stood at only 21 cases.”
The director-general further noted that the 48 recent diagnoses were all within the gay, LBGTQ+ community, and shockingly, nearly half of them, translating into 22 individuals or 45.8%, had a history of HIV infection.
A breakdown of the 48 fresh monkeypox outbreak cases showed a majority of Thai nationals with representation standing at 41, the rest being foreign occupants. Thurty-eight of these new cases live in the capital city, Bangkok, while three cases were found in Samut Prakan, two in Chon Buri, two in the Nonthaburi regions and a single case each from Pathum Thani, Phuket, and Samut Sakhon, reported Bangkok Post.
Dr Tares detailed that the majority of the new monkeypox outbreak cases seemingly manifested in individuals indulging in unprotected intercourse or engaging in intimate relations with strangers prior to falling ill. He added on a positive note that no severe symptom development or death had been observed amongst the patients.
The director-general sternly warned…
“This illness can be proactively avoided by resisting close association with infected patients or individuals displaying potential signs of monkeypox infection, in addition to refraining from sexual relations with unknown individuals.”
He further advised potential risk groups to be cognisant of potential symptoms such as the development of rashes around their sexual organs, anus, mouth, or general body area or the onset of flu-like symptoms. These include a common cold, headache, muscle strain and swollen lymph nodes, which might surface within 21 days following contact with infected patients. In light of the monkeypox outbreak, he urged individuals demonstrating any signs to seek urgent medical intervention.
Deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, attributed the exponential spread of the monkeypox outbreak in June to the risk-infused behaviours observed among reproductive-age men, particularly those engaging in same-sex relations.
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