October 9, 2024

Thailand's disease control authority warns of uncooked pork after deaths related to Streptococcus suis

Thailand's Department of Disease Control (DDC) has alerted the public to be wary of uncooked pork following 12 deaths linked to Streptococcus suis in four provinces in the country's lower northeastern region.

Dr. Taweechai Wisanuyothin, chief of DDC Office 9, said on October 5 that 149 cases of hearing loss caused by the bacterium in four surveillance areas - Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin and Chaiyaphum - were reported between January 7 and September 3. The highest number of cases was found in Nakhon Ratchaisima with 89 cases including six deaths, followed by Chaiyaphum with 31 cases and four fatalities, Surin with 16 cases and one death, and Buri Ram with 13 cases and one death.

Streptococcus suis is a peanut-shaped bacterium that is normally found in the upper respiratory tract, particularly the tonsils and nasal cavity, and the alimentary and genital tracts of swine.

Dr. Taweechai said humans can contract the bacterium through the consumption or exposure to raw pork, pigs' blood and internal organs. It can also enter through an open wound, scratch, or eye conjunctiva, he added.

The DDC is recommending people to only buy pork from a reliable source and consume meat, internal organs, and blood that has been cooked at 60–70 degrees Celsius for more than 10 minutes.

- Bangkok Post