flu

If you’ve recently touched down at [Phuket] [1] airport you may have noticed airport workers scrubbing the building and singing while they work. Staff at Phuket International Airport took part in a Big Clean Day recently, scrubbing down all areas that could be possible transmission sites for the A(H1N1) virus. Staff were encouraged to sing “Happy Birthday” while they washed their hands as it takes about 20 seconds to sing – the amount of time needed to ensure all germs are neutralized. In an interview with the [Phuket Gazette] [2] Airports of Thailand (AOT) chairman Piyaphan Champasut commented that: “We’re cleaning and repairing the airport because it’s been in use for a long time. We want to make it a clean, attractive and welcoming environment for tourists. And as swine flu spreads during 2009, passengers will trust in the standards of hygiene here.” Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO) officers have visited the airport to drill staff members on the correct cleaning and health procedures necessary in order to make sure that the airport stays virus-free. So visitors to Phuket can be sure that the airport not only looks clean but is free from germs and viruses. [1]: http://1sopphuket.com [2]: http://phuketgazette.net 2009-07-03T09:00:00+07:00 1352 2009-07-03T09:47:34+07:00 5 true 1352-singing-against-swine-flu-in-phuket Andrew

In response to the growing concern about the potential swine flu epidemic, officials at [Samui] [1] international airport have installed thermal scanners. The outbreak has reportedly killed 149 people in Mexico and Thai officials are keen to prevent incidents occurring in Thailand as the country already has one suspected case of swine flu. The [Samui Express] [2] reported that Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart is taking strong measures to prevent the spread of the virus across the country, scanning those who arrive in Thailand’s airports from other countries. Upon arrival, all passengers are asked if they have traveled through areas affected by swine flu, setting up separate counters to segregate potential carriers. Although there have been no cases of swine flu reported in Koh Samui as yet, each of the island’s four international hospitals are prepared to receive patients and to treat sufferers quickly and simply. With all these preventative measures in place, it is generally felt that tourists to Thailand have nothing to fear. Tourist figures have been unaffected so far and there is no reason to think that swine flu will become widespread in Koh Samui or in any other part of Thailand. [1]: http://1stopsamui.com [2]: http://news.samuiexpress.net 2009-05-14T10:11:00+07:00 1279 2009-05-14T16:56:43+07:00 5 true 1279-samui-fights-against-swine-flu-epidemic Andrew

Thailand has introduced measures aimed at preventing the spread of the swine flu virus that include the installation of new thermal scanners at the country’s main airports, as fears of a global pandemic mount. Three thermal scanners are now in use at Suvarnabhumi airport, and the devices have also been installed at the Chiang Mai and Phuket airports. The purpose of the scanners is to detect any elevation in the body temperatures of arriving passengers. The new H1N1 virus is believed to have originated in Mexico, and has spread to the US, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain - and possibly to Australia – so far. Health officials report that more than 150 people have died in Mexico as a result of the virus. The number of suspected cases of the disease has risen to more than 1,600 in Mexico, at least 20 in the US, six in Canada, three in New Zealand, two in Scotland and one in Spain. Thailand Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai confirmed that his ministry was collaborating with Airports of Thailand (AOT) to monitor all arriving passengers having flu-like symptoms. "The suspected cases will be put under close surveillance for three to five days during their stay in Thailand," the [Bangkok Post] [1] quoted the minister as saying. A swine flu expert, Roongroje Thanawongnuwech, who is a member of the veterinary science faculty at Chulalongkorn University in [Bangkok] [2], commented that the major concern about the virus being introduced into Thailand comes from airline passengers arriving from overseas. "The most important measure is to strictly monitor those coming from countries affected by the disease by plane," he said on a Thai radio programme. [1]: http://bangkokpost.com [2]: http://1stopthailand.com/bangkok 2009-04-29T14:48:00+07:00 1239 2009-04-29T14:49:11+07:00 5 true 1239-thailand-airports-prepare-for-swine-flu Andrew

With the cooler weather comes the increased potential for an outbreak of bird flu in Thailand. Deputy permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit, known as Mr Bird Flu, is the man in charge of monitoring the appearance of this dangerous and contagious disease. “The cool weather provides a good environment for it,” said Warachit, naming Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Chai Nat, Prachin Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen and Nong Bua Lamphu as potential hotspots where incidents of bird flu have previously appeared. Pajit has been training health officers all over Thailand to properly the presence of avian flu and human infection. These officers will be focusing particularly on the above provinces where the virus appears regularly. Thailand’s ministry is enforcing tighter controls on all sectors of the bird industry even though the country hasn’t had a reported case of the disease in three years. However, in the past, Thailand has had 25 cases of humans with bird flu, 17 of whom died. The measures the government will implement include surveying poultry farming, informing the public, and laboratory improvements to handle any cases that arise. The World Health Organisation reports that 61 countries presently have bird flu in them. 2009-01-25T09:20:00+07:00 1090 2009-01-22T09:42:50+07:00 5 true 1090-bird-flu-preparation-for-thailand Andrew

With neighbouring Cambodia facing [a new outbreak of bird flu][1], Thailand has decided to take preemptive action against the deadly disease by launching a special prevention operation in nine provinces. Thailand’s Livestock Development Department made the announcement last week in a bid to restore consumer confidence and ease the worries of any potential tourist. The department’s teams will disinfect farms in the nine northern Thai provinces of Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Nakhon Sawan, Kampaeng Phet, Pichit, Phetchabun and Tak. The teams will also educate families who raise poultry to always keep the birds separated from human habitations. Uthai Thani and Sukhothai are considered the most vulnerable to avian flu because they have had several cases there in the past. Health officials discovered the H5N1 strain of bird flu in late October in an area outside of Sukhothai. In mid-November, several birds were found dead from the disease in Uthai Thani province. Veterinarian Yukol Limlaemthong, acting director-general of the Livestock Department, said the team’s technical staff will also help rural families better understand self-preventative measures to lower the risk of contracting the deadly virus. Dr Yukol also advised the villagers in the nine at-risk provinces that cockfighting should be avoided over the winter. 
 [1]: http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/about_cm/health/ 2008-12-17T10:46:00+07:00 1031 2008-12-17T09:55:31+07:00 5 true 1031-thailand-takes-offensive-with-bird-flu Andrew

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry is still concerned about a new bird flu outbreak. The department has placed the northern region of the country under close surveillance after the bird flu virus was reported in two [northern provinces][1] earlier this month. The H5N1 virus has killed several birds and caused great alarm with poultry farmers around the country. Part of the concern this year is the early cold snap that sent temperatures’ plummeting to record lows earlier this month. As in humans, cold weather can trigger an influenza outbreak in poultry. Once the poultry contracts the virus, it can then be spread to humans who come in contact with the infected birds. Vietnam also reported a case of bird flu this month. Bird flu has been largely under control in Thailand since the first major outbreak in 2004. That season, over 60 million birds died from culling or death from the virus. Seventeen people have died from the bird flu in Thailand since 2004. The Public Health Ministry has informed all hospitals throughout the north to immediately treat anyone suspected of having the H5N1 virus, even if the patient is awaiting test results for the virus. [1]: http://1stopthailand.com/north/ 2008-11-29T19:28:00+07:00 999 2008-11-27T19:31:18+07:00 5 true 999-thailand-on-high-alert-for-bird-flu Andrew

A small chicken farm in the province of [Sukhothai][1] has been hit with the H5N1 avian flu virus. All of the seventeen chickens on the farm have been killed in an effort to stop the H5N1 virus from spreading. The new fears of a bird flu outbreak have put authorities on high alert. The entire area around the farm has been declared an outbreak zone. Last week five chickens died in this area, causing the Livestock Development Department to investigate the situation. The department confirmed that the bird flu virus was found in the dead chickens. The cold season is peak season for bird flu. There have been three outbreaks of the bird flu virus reported already this year. The World Organization for Animal Health has been notified. The export of frozen poultry will be stopped in order to assure the virus is not spread to other countries. Vietnam also reported a case of bird flu this week. Bird flu has been largely under control in Thailand since the first major outbreak in 2004. That season, over 60 million birds died from culling or death from the virus. Seventeen people have died from the bird flu in Thailand since 2004. [1]: http://www.1stopthailand.com/central/attractions/ 2008-11-17T10:42:00+07:00 979 2008-11-16T10:45:42+07:00 5 true 979-bird-flu-found-in-northern-thailand Andrew

The deadly Bird Flu virus has been picked up in Nakhon Sawan province; the first time the disease has hit Thailand in the past 10 months say the Department of Livestock. Thousands of chickens had been found dead at a farm in Nakhon Sawan’s Chumsaeng district and authorities immediately suspected the H5N1 virus. It was later confirmed the chickens had died of the Avian Flu after a lab test conducted in Phitsanulok had been carried out, according to Department of Livestock official Somboon Srisuthep. Officials have ordered a quarantine of all bird livestock within a five-kilometre radius of the infected farm and requested the disinfection of all poultry farms in the area. The Department of Livestock in Nakhon Sawan have also issued a warning to poultry farmers and banned the transport of live poultry across the country. If traveling in the region, ensure chicken meat is thoroughly cooked before consuming, especially at hawker stalls. Health in [Thailand](http://www.1stopthailand.com/travel-tips/health/) 2008-01-25T15:28:00+07:00 530 2008-01-25T15:33:10+07:00 5 true 530-bird-flu-in-nakhon-sawan Andrew