Mukdahan doctor commended for rapid anthrax diagnosis

A doctor at Don Tarn Hospital in Mukdahan province has been honoured for his swift diagnosis of a man who presented with unusual symptoms, which were later confirmed to be those of an anthrax infection.

In a statement, the Mukdahan Public Health Office said that Dr Nonchaya Jaitrong, a general practitioner, acted quickly in assessing the patient, who had injuries on his hands.

“The lab tests and his prompt diagnosis led to the identification of the anthrax infection and a timely alert about the discovery. This helped to prevent potentially greater harm and limited the spread of the disease,” the statement read.

Dr. Nonchaya is a graduate of Khon Kaen University.

The diagnosis and subsequent death of the patient from an Anthrax infection prompted a mass vaccination of cattle and goats in Don Tarn district, along with an order to halt the slaughtering of any cattle for three weeks.