Bangkok Post
Emerging viruses
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After the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, most people believe their lives have returned to normal. However, several recent outbreaks such as Ebola, Nipah virus, Hantavirus, mpox (monkeypox) and avian influenza, are under strict surveillance by global health agencies to reduce the risk of another pandemic.
Key facts
- After the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, most people believe their lives have returned to normal
- Over 200 known types exist, and they account for 75% of all emerging infectious diseases,"
- At least 58% of known human infections are made worse by climate hazards
- Currently, there are fake news reports about the Ebola virus entering Thailand, causing some people to panic
- An instance of this occurred in Russia in 2016 when rising temperatures caused permafrost to thaw and exposed infected reindeer carcasses to the environment, leading to an anthrax outbreak in humans.
- To help the audience understand the current situation, Prof Dr Ram Rangsin, a senior specialist and lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Kasetsart University, gave an overview of 2026 epidemics, focusing on Ebola, Hantavirus and mpox.
Summary
Currently, there are fake news reports about the Ebola virus entering Thailand, causing some people to panic. However on May 29, the government issued an official report refuting the news. One female visitor, who came from an infected zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was quarantined at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute by the Department of Disease Control. However, it was discovered that she had no history of exposure to the disease.
To educate the public about infectious diseases and consider whether Thailand is ready to deal with emerging and re-emerging diseases, Kasetsart University organised a forum titled "The Future Of Global Epidemics: How Prepared Is Thailand In The Era Of Emerging Infectious Diseases?" on its online platforms.