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Seventeen cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection have been confirmed in the Eastern Seaboard resort of Pattaya after two Taiwanese visitors were also found to be infected on their return home from holiday there. |
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The infections were confirmed after a programme of random testing involving 25 clinics, six hospitals and the Public Health Centre was implemented in Pattaya, where 420,000 doses of anti-viral medicine are stockpiled. |
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Three new cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection were meanwhile reported in Bangkok on 10 June 2009. Of these, one case has been confirmed. The patient has been isolated and is being closely monitored. |
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Thailand’s national flu outbreak status has been upgraded from Level A where patients had contracted the virus outside Thailand to Level B, where there has been human-to-human transmission inside the country.
Health authorities confirmed the first case of domestic infection on 4 June, within a month of the first case being reported in Thailand. The second case of human-to-human transmission confirmed in Thailand was on 10 June. |
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As of 9 June, and prior to the newly confirmed cases in Pattaya, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) officially reported a cumulative total of 13 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection in the country. |
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The three new cases that tested positive in Thailand for the H1N1 virus on 9 June, bringing the cumulative total to 13, had all returned from a trip to the United States and Canada. They have already been discharged from hospital but are still receiving medication. Their family members have been placed in quarantine. |
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Health authorities have stepped up influenza surveillance operations across the country. The MOPH has dispatched Surveillance and Rapid Response teams to various locations to monitor new confirmed cases and suspected cases, and to investigate possible new sources of infection. |
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All cases reported in May 2009 and before 9 June have fully recovered following treatment with the anti-viral drug, Oseltamivir. |
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No deaths relating to influenza A (H1N1) have so far been reported in Thailand. |
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The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to recommend no restrictions on travel and no border closures.
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| Preventive Measures Undertaken by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) |
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As a preventive measure, those in close contact with the confirmed cases are being closely monitored by the MOPH. |
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The rapid identification of patients with influenza A (H1N1) infection in Thailand is due to the implementation of an intensive surveillance system in Thailand as well as excellent cooperation from the public, especially those who have returned from affected areas. Every patient with a confirmed influenza A (H1N1) infection had received anti-viral drugs treatment within 48 hours, with satisfactory result. All of the patients have recovered and there has been no death. |
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To limit the spread of influenza A (H1N1) to the narrowest scope possible,
Thailand’s MOPH places greatest emphasis on disease prevention within the kingdom. Health authorities continue to tighten surveillance measures to promptly identify patients, provide effective medical treatment, and continue to run an aggressive public awareness campaign to educate the general public about taking preventive measures to avoid contracting the influenza A (H1N1) virus.
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Thailand is fully prepared to cope with the possible situation of outbreak within the Kingdom. Intensive medical measures are being implemented, and the situation is still under control. Efficient surveillance and quarantine processes by Thai public health authority ensure that the general public’s welfare is not compromised. |
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Thailand still welcomes all visitors. However, in the light of current circumstances, the public health authority is implementing the following measures:
- Monitoring and screening of inbound international travellers
- Deployment of infrared thermo-scanners at all international airports in Thailand as well as major immigration border checkpoints to screen incoming travellers
- Distribution of Health Beware Cards, health questionnaire, and advice on self-care to inbound international travellers, by collaboration between public health authority and international airlines
- Coordination with travel agencies, hotels and airlines in order to take care and give advice to travellers
- Other measures include intensive surveillance on travellers who have just returned from epidemic areas, and measures for case detection and disease control.
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For their own well-being and that of the general public, visitors to Thailand are requested to cooperate with and to follow the instructions of public health authority at the ports of entry and within the Kingdom. Visitors are urged to answer the questionnaire truthfully, and report immediately to the public heath authority should they have fever, or develop any symptoms of influenza or respiratory infection. |
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Medical services in Thailand are of international standard. Thailand also has past experiences in successfully dealing with the SARS and Avian Flu. The public health authority in Thailand thus has full confidence that, with the level of preparedness gained through our experiences, collaboration with the WHO, and cooperation from the general public, authorities will be able to continue to keep the situation in Thailand under control. |
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There are two 24-hour hotlines in service, namely, the Ministry of Public Health Hotline: 02 590 1994 (for calls within Thailand) or +66 2 590 1994 (for calls from abroad), and the Department of Disease Control 02 590 3333 (for calls within Thailand) or +66 2 590 3333 (for calls from abroad).
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2933.php
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PREVENTING THE FLU
HEALTH TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS
From the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Please click to view |
