No trace of H1N1 virus in dead tourist’s body
A German tourist while being kept under surveillance for suspected H1N1 flu died. Initially H1N1 flu was suspected to have been the reason but tests carried out confirmed that the tourist was not infected with the H1N1 flu.
The tourist who arrived in Thailand on May 12th traveled to Prachuap Khiri Khan. On May 16th, she developed flu like symptoms and was admitted into a hospital in Hua Hin district. The woman had a cough, a mild fever and a sore throat which are not typical H1N1 symptoms as confirmed by the doctors.
Following her death, the entire San Paolo Hua Hin Hospital where she was hospitalized was sanitized and the staff ordered to wear protective masks. Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi confirmed that the tourist had only lung infection and the cause would be determined by the health ministry.
Meanwhile the World Health Organisation plans to produce 4.9 billion doses of vaccines against the flu virus so as to prevent the global pandemic. Worldwide, the number of H1N1 cased has reached 10,000. So far in case of Thailand, two confirmed victims have been reported but no fatalities have been recorded.
The Thai health ministry has launched a campaign urging people to wear surgical masks and to take additional care with regard to their personal hygiene.