Rise in meningitis cases sparks health concerns in Thailand ahead of new year

Thailand has recorded nearly 100 cases of meningitis, also known as swine fever, this year, resulting in four fatalities in Nakhon Ratchasima. The disease, caused by a bacterium found in raw pork and blood, is raising concerns as festivities for the new year approaches.

Dr Thaweechai Wisanuyotin, Director of the Disease Prevention and Control Office, revealed that between January 1 and November 25, there were 548 cases of meningitis in Thailand, with 26 fatalities. These cases were distributed across several provinces, with Nakhon Ratchasima recording the highest number with four deaths.

In Health Area 9, which includes Nakhon Ratchasima, there were 130 cases with six deaths during the same period. The province with the highest number of cases was Nakhon Ratchasima with 95 patients. The most affected occupations were labourers, accounting for 32.31%, followed by farmers at 31.54%, and housewives at 13.85%.

Dr Thaweechai warned about current online trends promoting the consumption of raw food combined with alcohol, which could lead to imitation behaviour and increased risk of disease transmission. He advised the public to consume pork properly, ensuring that it is thoroughly cooked at temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius for at least ten minutes. Other precautions include using separate utensils for raw and cooked pork, and not consuming raw pork with alcohol.

Meningitis is caused by consuming raw or undercooked pork, such as raw pork salad or raw blood salad, contaminated with the Streptococcus suis bacterium. This bacterium resides in the respiratory tract of pigs and the blood of infected pigs.

It can be transmitted through wounds, scratches, and eye mucosa. Once infected, patients may suddenly experience high fever, headache, chills, confusion, joint pain, stiff neck, and hearing loss or deafness, Dr Thaweechai explained.

As winter season approaches, and with the upcoming new year celebrations, people might order barbecued food or raw and cooked dishes, like raw blood salad or raw pork salad. If the cooks or food handlers have wounds and touch raw pork or raw blood contaminated with bacteria, they are at risk of contracting meningitis, which can lead to hearing loss or permanent deafness.

Therefore, the public is advised not to consume raw pork or raw blood salad, and should not use lime juice to cook pork. Instead, it should be cooked at temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius for at least ten minutes.

People should also avoid consuming raw pork with alcohol. When barbecuing, use separate tools for raw and cooked pork, and adhere to the principle of cook, hot, clean.

When buying pork for cooking, choose from reliable sources with standards, and avoid buying from unknown sources. Those working in close contact with pigs, such as pig farmers, slaughterhouse workers, butchers, animal health workers, or veterinarians, should wear rubber boots, gloves, and tight-fitting clothes during work.

If there are any wounds, they should be tightly covered, and hands should be washed every time after touching pigs, to reduce the risk of meningitis infection, reported KhaoSod.