Thailand Ministry of Health reports 4,488 new COVID-19 cases and an additional 38 deaths since yesterday. The ministry also announced an additional 3,921 patients recovered from the COVID-19 virus.
To examine if a freeze-dried version of a live attenuated smallpox vaccine that has been preserved in Thailand for more than four decades can effectively battle monkeypox, the Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC) aims to test it.
The vaccine material has been held under the supervision of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) since smallpox was eradicated in 1980, according to Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the DMSC.
Dr. Supakit stated a sample was submitted to the DMSC to check it was uncontaminated and still usable.
Thailand is said to have roughly 10,000 doses of smallpox vaccination on hand.
“As soon as an infection is reported in the country, the department will culture the virus using blood from a recipient of the smallpox vaccine in 1980 in order to build immunity and see if it can safeguard people from monkeypox,” he said.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the Minister of Public Health, confirmed that the DMSC would execute the viral culture for analysis.
In response to airport monitoring measures, the DMSC stated that it had DNA codes that can detect the virus through testing of bodily fluids.
The Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute will examine any people or groups thought to be in danger, according to the organization.
Mr. Anutin added that thus far, the only virus found in testing conducted on foreigners at airports has been herpes.
He did say, though, that officials would remain cautious and that screening procedures would be maintained.
Meanwhile, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) responded to reports that monkeypox cases had been discovered in Trat’s Koh Chang.