Thailand contains cholera outbreak, minimal new cases reported
A recent cholera outbreak in Thailand has been effectively managed, with a minimal number of patients from both Myanmar and Thailand diagnosed and subsequently cured. Public health and security officials confirmed this progress yesterday, January 1. In Myanmar’s town of Shwe Kokko, the number of cholera patients is also on the decline.
Despite Mae Sot and four other districts in Tak province being declared cholera control red zones due to their elevated risk, the situation is under control. Doctor Ramet Wongwilairat, director of Mae Sot Hospital, expressed confidence, stating that the severity is not high.
Cholera’s position on Thailand’s list of communicable diseases under surveillance is 53rd out of 57. To date, four individuals—two from Thailand and two from Myanmar—were diagnosed with cholera and have fully recovered. Doctor Suphachok Wetchaphanphesat, a public health inspector, noted no new cases, except for three asymptomatic instances involving two Myanmar nationals and one Thai.
“We need to continue maintaining proper cholera surveillance measures, particularly during the new year celebrations when people usually have a festive feast, which may potentially heighten the risk of them contracting this food-borne disease,” Dr. Suphachok explained.
To mitigate the risk of cholera spreading through food, officials in Tak have initiated measures such as enhancing sanitation standards at markets and public toilets, as well as improving hygiene among street food vendors.
Doctor Sopon Iamsirithaworn, a public health chief inspector and spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, along with other officials, downplayed concerns over the World Health Organisation’s classification of cholera as a new major health emergency. This reclassification is intended to raise awareness and encourage global action due to rising cholera cases in various countries.
A border security official reported that from the start of December last year until yesterday, January 1, Shwe Kokko had 761 cases requiring hospitalisation. Recent updates indicate only 40 patients remain in hospital care, reported Bangkok Post.
In response, a Thai health team was sent to Shwe Kokko on December 31 last year to assist in controlling the outbreak, delivering additional oral rehydration solutions and medicines to support Myanmar’s healthcare workers in treating cholera.
