The increasing number of Zika virus cases in Thailand reflects improved screening procedures and growing awareness of the condition among health workers in the country, an expert claims.
Department of Disease Control (DDC) director-general Amnuay Kajeena said yesterday that more cases does not mean the Zika infection rate in the country is getting worse.
Dr Amnuay was speaking out in response to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s report, identifying Thailand as a “red zone” country for Zika infections as a high prevalence of infections has been reported over the past three months in the country.
The centre also identified Thailand as the most dangerous country in Southeast Asia for Zika infections.
According to Public Health Ministry, 97 Zika cases have been reported in Thailand from January up to the end of June in 10 provinces, compared to an average of five to seven each year in the past.
The number of cases alone could not determine the status of the disease, Dr Amnuay said adding several factors including situation reports on the condition must be included in studies.
He urged the public to adhere to information in a report from the World Health Organisation, saying the organisation has not boosted its travel warning for Thailand.
Dr Amnuay said the Ministry of Public Health has implemented measures to prevent infections from spreading by urging health personnel to conduct screening tests on any case suspected of being Zika. A suspected case must undergo tests requiring epidemiological procedures.
If a case is reported, a team of epidemiologists will respond immediately to inspect and investigate the case, he said.
Health workers taking care of Zika patients will also undergo tests to determine if they have been infected, he added.
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This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.