swine

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