Thailand Travel News

Thailand health ministry has admitted that a patient under quarantine is suspected of having H1N1 flu. They further said that the lab results of this patient have been sent to USA in order to match it with the H1N1 influenza samples as there are no available samples in Thailand. This patient is one of the groups of persons quarantined after returning from Mexico.

The patient had developed flu like symptoms since returning from Mexico. The patient has been provided with anti viral drugs and has been kept under quarantine. The results from the US centres for disease control and prevention (CDC) are expected within seven days.

Thailand has put in a collection of prevention measures to control the spread of swine virus such as heat seeking devices at the country’s main international airports to detect arrivals suffering from fevers. Since April 27, around 400,000 incoming passengers from Mexico, US, Canada, Spain and UK have been screened.

Another fact to be noted is the end of school holidays next week. Students coming from summer camps abroad would be watched carefully. The health ministry is co-coordinating with the education ministry to implement disease prevention measures at all schools. Teachers have been instructed to watch all students and have students with flu-like symptoms to be examined by a doctor.

A joint statement was released by ASEAN plus three health ministers on influenza A/H1N1. The statement included a joint effort to establish continuous medical supplies and setting up an information system including hotlines among the health ministries of the member nations. Although the Asian region has been relatively safe from the influenza, the health ministries said that they would take preventive measures and coordinate the response.

The ASEAN members clarified that they would follow the recommendations laid down by WHO on international travels instead of imposing travel restrictions in order to prevent social and economic disruption to the global and regional communities.

The meeting held on 7th and 8th confirms the commitments of the ASEAN countries towards preventing and eradicating the influenza. The commitments include implementing National pandemic preparedness plans and intensifying surveillance & response system.

As more than 90% of world vaccine production was is in Europe and USA, the health ministers emphasized on stockpiling of essential medical supplies. They requested WHO to provide more support including technical & financial help.

At the same time, the ministers did not want any restrictions on travel in the flight against swine flu. They felt that travel restrictions would have little impact in stopping the virus from spreading and further pose negative impact in the current global scenario. So far 2,000 case of swine flu have been confirmed in 23 countries globally causing 44 deaths.

Thai government has tightened precautions against Mexican swine flu at all its airports – this was announced by Public Health minister Witthaya Kaewparadai.

Thailand’s national carrier – Thai Airways International (THAI) recently announced a series of steps to prevent the flu outbreak. THAI staffs at check in counters and boarding counters have been asked to observe passengers with possible influenza symptoms. If the staff finds any passenger with possible symptoms, the suspected passenger is to be reported to the airport physician.

All incoming passengers are required to fill out a questionnaire on whether they have visited affected countries and further they have to pass through the thermal scanners on arrival.

The public health minister has told that the health ministry presently has a stockpile of 320,000 courses of the anti viral drug – oseltamivir, which could treat 320,000 people. In addition, Government Pharmaceutical Organisation has been asked to produce another 100,000 courses as a precautionary measure in case of emergency.

Meanwhile the Thai embassy has contacted all the Thai nationals registered with Thai embassy in Mexico and they were reported healthy. There are also other Thai nationals living in Mexico who are not registered with the Thai embassy.

In other news, Thailand will hold a special ASEAN health ministers meeting in Bangkok on May 7th and 8th to address the swine flu.