Thailand has confirmed the first case of monkeypox, detected on the popular resort island Phuket.
It was confirmed in a 27-year-old Nigerian man, went missing after being informed of his positive test result on Monday (Jul 18).
However, the patient has been reported missing by authorities.
According to health officials, the hospital took a blood sample from the patient and performed swabs for laboratory tests on Saturday. The result came out positive on Monday evening.
According to reports, the Phuket health chief, said the patient entered Thailand on Oct 21, 2021 and stayed in a condominium in Phuket’s Patong from November. He often visited entertainment venues in the province.
After his hospital visit on Jul 16, he was advised to quarantine at his apartment.
Health officials and local authorities have been tracking the patient in order to provide him with medical treatments and to control the spread of the disease since Monday. They are also conducting active case finding and contact tracing.