History of Mass Transportation: The ASR Class at Hua Lamphong in the Regional Railways Livery

 

{Click on Image to Enlarge}

___

By SChirapant - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8874221

Source: 

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Railway_of_Thailand_ASR_class

____

Post-exposure #prophylaxis with #favipiravir among #household close contacts to confirmed #COVID19 cases: A cluster-randomized trial (PEPfavi)

 

Abstract

Background

Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains a key driver of community spread, with secondary attack rates in Thai households reaching approximately 50 %. There is limited evidence supporting the efficacy of antiviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in this context.

Methods

The phase 2/3, open-label, (1:1) cluster-randomized controlled trial in Thailand, 168 household close contacts from 76 index cases were enrolled to receive either favipiravir-PEP (FPV-PEP) (1600–2000 mg/day for 7 days) or usual care. The efficacy of FPV-PEP was investigated in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection after contact with index cases.

Results

The incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was lower in the FPV-PEP group than in the usual care group (7.32 % vs. 14.47 %), although the difference was not statistically significant. A trend toward fewer early positive rapid diagnostic test results on day 3 was observed in the FPV-PEP group. Symptom development was less frequent among FPV-PEP recipients, with fewer cases of fever, rhinorrhea, and myalgia. A significantly higher probability of remaining asymptomatic and delayed symptom onset was observed in the FPV-PEP group. No participants developed severe COVID-19 or required hospitalization.

Conclusion

FPV-PEP was associated with a lower incidence of fever, rhinorrhea, and myalgia among household contacts. While a reduction in secondary transmission was observed, it did not reach statistical significance. Further large-scale studies are warranted to clarify its role in preventing household transmission.

Source: 

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034126000225?via%3Dihub

____

#Anthrax - #Thailand (#WHO, D.O.N., May 29 '25)

 

{Summary}

Situation at a glance

In early May 2025, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) for Thailand notified WHO of four cases of cutaneous anthrax. 

One of the affected individuals died as a result of disease complications, while the remaining three cases were hospitalized and received appropriate medical care. 

All reported cases had direct contact with cattle suspected to be infected with anthrax. 

A rapid field investigation and response was conducted by the national health authorities. 

All potentially exposed individuals were identified, and all high-risk contacts received post-exposure prophylaxis. 

On 28 May, an additional case was announced who was associated with the slaughtering of cattle. 

Disease control measures, including animal quarantine, and vaccination campaign targeting cattle withing five km radius, public awareness campaigns, and enhanced surveillance, were implemented in the affected area. 

Anthrax is a life-threatening zoonotic disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. 

Humans can get anthrax from infected animals or contaminated animal products. 

It generally does not spread between people. 

Currently, due to the robust public health measures implemented by Thailand, the risk of international disease spread through animal movement remains low.

(...)

Source: World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON573

____

#Evidence of avian and human #influenza A virus #infection in farmed Siamese #crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) in #Thailand

Abstract

Crocodilians are susceptible to a range of virus infection including influenza A virus (IAV). However, little is known about the ecology and epidemiology of IAV in crocodile species. This study aimed to investigate IAV infection in farmed Siamese crocodiles in central Thailand. We collected plasma samples and pharyngeal swab samples from Siamese crocodiles residing in 13 crocodile farms in 9 provinces of central Thailand during 2019. Additional archival plasma samples of Siamese crocodiles collected in 2012 and 2018 were also included in the study. Plasma samples were screened for influenza A antibodies by a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay and positive were evaluated by a cytopathic effect/hemagglutination based-microneutralization (MN) assay. Swab samples were tested for influenza viral RNA by a real-time RT-PCR assay targeting the influenza matrix (M) gene. Among 246 tested plasma samples, the overall seroprevalence of antibodies against IAV in farmed Siamese crocodiles was 17.5% (43/246). The most common hemagglutinin (HA) subtype was H2 (46.5%, 20/43) followed by H9 (39.5%, 17/43), human H1 (14%, 6/43) and H1 (7%, 3/43). Multiple HA subtypes were also detected in 7% (3/43) of infected crocodiles with combination of H1 and H2 subtypes. All 126 tested swab samples were negative for influenza viral RNA. In addition, we demonstrated the ability of wild-type IAV subtypes (H1, H2, H9 and human H1) to infect primary Siamese crocodile fibroblast cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report of serological evidences of avian and human IAV infection in Siamese crocodiles. Our findings highlighted the role of crocodile species in the ecology of IAV particularly the potential to serve as the reservoir or mixing vessel for the viruses that significantly threaten both human and animal health.

Source: PLoS One, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0317035

_____