Uttaradit, Thailand: Undiagnosed illness sickens soldiers, Mycoplasma confirmed

[Giuseppe]

[Source: The Nation, full text: (LINK).]

Flu laid soldiers low, governor says



3 June 2012

Uttaradit Governor Yothin Samutkhiri said yesterday that initial reports suggest the mysterious disease that broke out among conscripts at the 7th Cavalry Battalion was an unidentified strain of flu. It was under control and wouldn't spread outside the battalion's base.

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[alert]

Re: Thailand, Flu laid soldiers low, governor says (Nation Multimedia, June 2 2012)

http://www.promedmail.org/mbds

Published Date: 2012-06-04 09:17:31
Subject: PRO/MBDS> Undiagnosed illness - Thailand: Uttaradit, RFI
Archive Number: 20120604.1252

UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS - THAILAND: UTTARADIT, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
************************************************** ****************

A ProMED-mail post

http://www.promedmail.org

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

http://www.isid.org

[1]Date: Sat 2 Jun 2012Source: National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) Public Relations Department [edited]http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255506020005


A total of 40 conscripts of a cavalry unit were immediately taken to
Uttaradit's Fort Phichaidaphak Hospital after they all suffered
headaches, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulties, and accelerated
heartbeat. Military officials put up a sign that declared the hospital
to be in quarantine until [5 Jun 2012].

Inside the hospital, medical staff and military personnel alike wore
protective masks. Outsiders were strictly forbidden entry to the
hospital. Doctors and nurses were reportedly busy treating the
conscripted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Unit of the 3rd Army Region
who were afflicted by a contagious disease still unidentified.

While the 40 soldiers fell ill because of an unknown disease, another 60
were put under close medical observation. Another solider was critically
ill and had to be taken to the provincial hospital. The soldiers'
symptoms included headaches, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulties,
accelerated heartbeat, and lung inflammation similar to a cold disease,
but of greater severity.

No high-level authorities at Fort Phichaidaphak Hospital could be
reached for comment on the matter.

[Byline: Itiporn Lakarnchua]

--
Communicated by:
PRO/MBDS
<promed-mbds@promedmail.org>

******
[2]
Date: Sun 3 Jun 2012
Source: Expat Newsletter [edited]

http://www.expatnewsletter.net/flu-laid-soldiers-low-governor-says/

Uttaradit Governor Yothin Samutkhiri said yesterday [2 Jun 2012] that
initial reports suggest the mysterious disease that broke out among
conscripts at the 7th Cavalry Battalion was an unidentified strain of
flu. It was under control and wouldn't spread outside the battalion's base.

The outbreak infected 7 privates, one of whom lost a lung to a bacterial
infection. Some 140 soldiers were now quarantined at Khai Pichai Darphak
Hospital, under the supervision of Phra Mongkut Hospital medical staff.

--
Communicated by:
PRO/MBDS
<promed-mbds@promedmail.org>

[The 2 newswires above report an outbreak of undiagnosed illness in
Uttaradit province. About 140 soldiers are under quarantine at the Fort
Phichaidaphak Hospital in Uttaradit. Of these, 40 fell ill with symptoms
of headaches, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulties and accelerated
heartbeat. One conscript was in critical condition. Authorities
suggested that cause of the outbreak is an unidentified strain of influenza.

PRO/MBDS would greatly appreciate further information from knowledgeable
sources regarding the investigation and etiologic agent responsible for
the outbreak described above in Uttaradit province, Thailand.

For maps showing Thailand's regions, see
http://www.thailand-map.net/thailand_provinces/; for provinces, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Thailand. For the
interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Thailand with links to other
recent ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS postings, see
http://healthmap.org/r/2vwG. - Mod.SCM]
...................................scm/mj/yma

[alert]

Re: Uttardit, Thailand: Undiagnosed illness sickens soldiers, unidentifed flu suspected

http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20120602-350093.html

Illness brings down Thai cavalry unit

Saturday, Jun 02, 2012

About 100 conscripts are being quarantined at the Fort Phichaidaphak Hospital in Uttaradit, though there is no official explanation about their symptoms.

The hospital's director declined to speak to the press and the Uttaradit public health chief has also refused to comment.

However, a source at the hospital disclosed that members of the cavalry unit had lost their appetites and suffered from exhaustion, headaches as well as muscular aches and pains.

"Their symptoms are very much like flu but more serious. One of them is in critical condition," the source said, adding that 40 of them had developed lung infections and 60 others were under observation.

A sign saying "No Entry Allowed Unless Authorised" is posted in front of the hospital, and everybody inside the medical facility was seen wearing masks.

[alert]

Re: Uttaradit, Thailand: Undiagnosed illness sickens soldiers, unidentifed flu suspected

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/health/296565/quarantined-hospital-reopens

Quarantined hospital reopens
Published: 5/06/2012 at 01:36 AM

Fifteen soldiers have fallen ill after contracting an acute lung infection and 125 others have been kept under medical observation at the Phraya Phichai Dabhak army camp in Uttaradit.

The Phraya Phichai Dabhak Army Camp Hospital where the soldiers were being treated had stopped admitting out-patients and the whole facility was placed under quarantine last week.

Hospital director Col Kuldanai Supim said the hospital is expected to reopen today as the 15 affected soldiers had recovered steadily while test results showed the 125 others had not contracted the disease.

Col Ram Rangsin, an epidemiologist attached to the army, said laboratory tests on the ill soldiers showed that the infection was caused by mycoplasma _ a bacteria that can be contracted through sneezing or coughing or close contact with infected people.

Thailand already has a medicine _ clarithromycin _ for treatment of the disease, Col Ram said.

The doctor added the soldiers had not contracted any severe acute respiratory diseases such as bird flu, as had been feared and rumoured, he said.

The first case detected was that of Pvt Kittirat Meeplong, a native of Tron district. He was diagnosed with the illness on May 29.

A day later, three more army privates at the camp came down with the flu-like symptoms.

The soldiers had a high fever, sore throat and cough.

The Royal Thai Army Medical Department ordered 140 troopers and their trainers examined. It found that 15 of them had contracted the disease.

The discovery led to the hospital being sealed and quarantined.

[Giuseppe]

Re: Uttaradit, Thailand: Undiagnosed illness sickens soldiers, Mycoplasma confirmed

[Source: Bangkok Post, full text: (LINK).]

Illness not bird flu, army says


Published: 5/06/2012 at 11:37 AM - Online news: Easier Stuff - Please join us on our facebook page: <A href="http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning">http://www.facebook.com/bangkokpostlearning


It is not bird flu as first feared, but the illness that has strickened 15 soldiers in Uttaradit and put another 125 under observation was thought serious enough to close an army hospital to all outside patients.

(?)

-
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[alert]

Re: Uttaradit, Thailand: Undiagnosed illness sickens soldiers, Mycoplasma confirmed

http://www.promedmail.org/mbds

Published Date: 2012-06-05 22:15:49
Subject: PRO/MBDS> Undiagnosed illness - Thailand (02): Uttaradit, mycoplasma
Archive Number: 20120605.1269

UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS - THAILAND (02): UTTARADIT, MYCOPLASMA
************************************************** ********

A ProMED-mail post

http://www.promedmail.org

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

http://www.isid.org

Date: Tue 5 Jun 2012Source: Bangkok Post [edited]http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/health/296565/quarantined-hospital-reopens


A total of 15 soldiers have fallen ill after contracting an acute lung
infection and 125 others have been kept under medical observation at the
Phraya Phichai Dabhak army camp in Uttaradit.

The Phraya Phichai Dabhak Army Camp Hospital where the soldiers were
being treated had stopped admitting outpatients and the whole facility
was placed under quarantine last week [week of 28 May 2012].

Hospital director Col Kuldanai Supim said the hospital is expected to
reopen today [5 Jun 2012] as the 15 affected soldiers had recovered
steadily, while test results showed the 125 others had not contracted
the disease.

Col Ram Rangsin, an epidemiologist attached to the army, said laboratory
tests on the ill soldiers showed that the infection was caused by
mycoplasma -- a bacterium that can be contracted through sneezing or
coughing or close contact with infected people.

Thailand already has a medicine -- clarithromycin -- for treatment of
the disease, Col Ram said.

The doctor added the soldiers had not contracted any severe acute
respiratory diseases such as bird flu, as had been feared and rumoured,
he said.

The 1st case detected was a native of Tron district. He was diagnosed
with the illness on [29 May 2012]. A day later [30 May 2012], 3 more
army privates at the camp came down with the flu-like symptoms. The
soldiers had a high fever, sore throat, and cough.

The Royal Thai Army Medical Department ordered 140 troopers and their
trainers examined. It found that 15 of them had contracted the disease.

The discovery led to the hospital being sealed and quarantined.

--
Communicated by:
PRO/MBDS
<promed-mbds@promedmail.org>

[The newswire above provides an update on the outbreak of undiagnosed
illness at the Phraya Phichai Dabhak army camp in Uttaradit province,
which PRO/MBDS has reported previously (see Undiagnosed illness -
Thailand: Uttaradit, RFI 20120604.1252). The investigation indicates the
etiologic agent responsible for the outbreak was _Mycoplasma
pneumoniae_. Of 140 soldiers under quarantine, 15 soldiers had
contracted the lung infection while the other 125 had not. Cases were
treated with clarithromycin and recovered.

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a type of atypical pneumonia. It is caused by
the bacteria _Mycoplasma pneumoniae_. This type of pneumonia usually
affects people younger than 40. People at highest risk for mycoplasma
pneumonia include those living or working in crowded areas such as
schools and homeless shelters, although many people who contract
mycoplasma pneumonia have no identifiable risk factor. The symptoms are
generally mild and appear over a period of 1 to 3 weeks. They may become
more severe in some people. Common symptoms include chest pain, cough,
usually dry and not bloody, excessive sweating, fever, headache, and
sore throat. Antibiotics that work against _Mycoplasma_ include
macrolides, quinolones and tetracyclines. In untreated adults, cough and
weakness can persist for up to a month (see
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/000082.htm and
http://webdb.dmsc.moph.go.th/ifc_nih...sp?info_id=933 in
Thai).

For maps showing Thailand's regions, see
http://www.thailand-map.net/thailand_provinces/; for provinces, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Thailand. For the
interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Thailand with links to other
recent ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS postings, see
http://healthmap.org/r/2vwG. - Mod.SCM]