H1N1 tests on foreigners fails
In a new development to curb the spread of the H1N1 virus, Thai public health ministry installed a thermal scanner Maesai district of a northern province of Chiang Rai. Everyday foreign business men numbering 3000 enter Thailand through Maesai border.
In addition there are 2 ports in Chiang Khong and Chiang Saen districts where ships arrive having 50-60 foreign crew arrive everyday. About 100-200 European tourists also enter Thailand everyday through these ports.
In a related development, five people consisting of 2 Swedish, 1 Hong Kong tourist and two Thai’s have tested negative for the new strain of H1N1. This brings the suspected listed of H1N1 affected people down to 20.
According to the Thai health ministry, the two Swedes developed a high fever after arriving from Indonesia and Malaysia whereas the two Thai’s fell ill after visiting their children in USA. The Thai couple was found to have seasonal flu and not H1N1 flu.
The health minister confirmed that only two people have tested positive for the H1N1 virus and both have been cured and have recovered. Although the H1N1 virus has a less fatality rate, it is capable of spreading rapidly through the human population.
The government is concentrating on 3 vital areas i.e. 1. Screening inbound passengers 2. Giving medication to affected people 3. Education people to combat the virus.
According to WHO, 42 countries have officially reported 11,168 cases of swine flu infections.