AFD - Thailand

[sharon sanders]

Report Out Of Thailand

http://afludiary.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html

# 2189




















There is nothing confirmed here, but this story has appeared in at least 2 major newspapers (Thaindian News, The Nation) overnight. Reports state that either 4 or 5 people are in isolation with `bird flu-like symptoms' in Phichit.

It should also be noted that just a few days ago Phichit Medical authorities reported the heaviest Dengue outbreak in six years, and the Governor has declared 12 districts a disaster area.

Thailand has not reported a confirmed human infection from the H5N1 virus since the summer of 2006.

A Hat tip to Treyfish on Flutrackers for this story, and Carol@SC of the Wiki for the Dengue update.


Whether H5N1, or Dengue, or something else entirely - we probably won't know what these 5 people are suffering from before the end of the week.


Local authorities appear to be taking this seriously, so this is certainly something to watch.

5 in birdflu scare

By The Nation
Published on July 30, 2008

Five people admitted to Sam Ngam Hospital in Phichit with bird flulike symptoms have all had mysterious deaths of poultry near their homes.


Provincial health chief Prajak Wattanakul and a disease conrol team went to the hospital yesterday afternoon to visit the five, who were kept in isolation.

They were Krisada Thiangyu, six, Nadda Thiangyu, 10, and Taptim Phromsri, 62, from Tambon Noen Por; Wanna Tolamlam, 70, from Tambon Nong Son, and an unnamed fiveyearold boy.

The five reportedly touched dead fowl with their bare hands and a few days later developed fevers, coughing, exhaustion and breathing problems. Lab tests on blood samples should yield results in one or two days.

Officials were dispatched to watch out for the disease.

posted by FLA_MEDIC @ 8:44 AM

[sharon sanders]

Re: AFD - Thailand

Bangkok Post: Bird Flu Suspect Dies



# 2343


Thailand hasn't reported a human infection from the H5N1 virus in 2 years, the last one occurring in late September of 2006. After a rocky start in 2004-2005, Thailand has moved very aggressively to contain and eradicate the virus.

Today the Bangkok Post is reporting on a suspected case - a fatality - although at this juncture, it isn't entirely clear if this is really a case of human H5N1 infection.

Suspected bird flu victim dies
Wednesday October 01, 2008

SITTHIPOJ KEBUI and APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL

PHICHIT : A worker on a free-range duck farm died from bird flu-like symptoms in Pho Prathap Chang district yesterday, and health authorities put his 12-year-old son under close observation for signs of infection with the virus.


Manee Mankhetkit, 48, was taken to the provincial hospital on Monday after he developed a high fever, suffered from a cough, sore throat, chest pains and breathing difficulties.

The man was treated in an isolated intensive care ward because he had come into contact with fowls. He was a hired hand at a duck farm which has more than 1,600 birds. Doctors pronounced him dead due to kidney and heart failure.

His 12-year-old son Sakda, who worked alongside his father, was taken to Phichit hospital yesterday. He too was put in an isolation ward for observation, and no visitors were allowed to see him.

Livestock officials have collected samples from the free-range ducks, which have being dying in big numbers over the past week, for testing for the bird flu virus.

Public health permanent-secretary Prat Boonyawongwirot said lab tests were being made on samples collected from the dead man's body to see whether he was infected with the deadly H5N1 virus as believed.

The results were expected to be released today.

Dr Prat said leptospirosis could also not be ruled out as a possible cause of death as the area was affected by floods.

There were reports of poultry, particularly free-range ducks, dying en masse in the district during the past week.

(Continue)

Thailand has recently been hit by major flooding, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 people, and blamed for thousands of illnesses. Leptospirosis, which is mentioned as a potential alternative diagnosis, is one of those diseases often associated with floods.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and other animals, caused by the Leptospira bacteria. Outbreaks can occur when people are exposed to water contaminated by the urine of infected animals.

Many animals can carry the bacteria, although rodents are often associated with the disease. Symptoms can include high fever, `flu-like symptoms', vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even jaundice. Complications can include kidney damage, meningitis, and respiratory distress.

Leptospirosis is not uncommon in Thailand, with several hundred cases reported each year. Fatality rates of over 4% have been reported.


We shall have to wait until lab tests come back before we can know if this victim was infected with the H5N1 virus. The good news is, Thailand has a pretty good record of following up on these reports.


This report on the recent flooding, and disease outbreaks, from the Canadian Press.

Thailand flooding kills 23 over past 2 weeks


BANGKOK, Thailand ? Floods in Thailand have killed 23 people and sickened more than 230,000 over the past two weeks, including many who contracted waterborne ailments after wading through dirty water, the government said Tuesday.

The 23 people were swept away by flash floods that have afflicted 27 of Thailand's 75 provinces since early September, the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement.

Seven of the 23 victims were elderly people and four were children under 12, said Siripon Kanchana, deputy permanent secretary at the ministry.

Most of those who sought medical treatment suffered from skin funguses, cold symptoms and respiratory problems.

The health ministry warned residents that floodwaters were full of parasitic leeches, human waste and bacteria that can cause skin infections and fungus.

The floods, which destroyed farmland and inundated villages, have caused nearly US$8 million in damage, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center said.

Heavy downpours in northern and northeastern Thailand at the height of the rainy season caused rivers to swell, Water Resources Department Director-General Siripong Hungspreuk said, warning residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant for flash floods and mudslides.

[sharon sanders]

Re: AFD - Thailand

October 1, 2008

Thailand: `Bird Flu' Case Actually Leptospirosis


# 2345


As mentioned last night in this blog, despite the media calling this incident a `suspected bid flu case', Leptospirosis was also a possibility.

Today we have confirmation that the 54-year-old father, and his son, have both tested positive for Leptospirosis.

A hat tip to Dutchy on Flutrackers for finding this announcement.

Bird Flu Suspected Death Is Actually Leptospirosis
UPDATE : 1 October 2008

The Public Health Ministry has confirmed that leptospirosis was the cause of a Phichit local's death this morning, not the dreaded bird flu. The deceased's 12-year-old son, who also has leptospirosis, remains under doctor's care.

Public health officials have begun an investigation after a 54-year old man reportedly died from the bird flu in Phichit Province, while his son remains under the doctor's close watch.

Police found that the deceased was feeding ducks and he and his son became sick after the ducks began to die.

Both patients were sent to Nakhon Sawan to recuperate and have doctors figure out the cause of their illness. However, blood tests on both the father and son found that the two contracted leptospirosis, not the H5N1 virus which causes the bird flu.

Thailand has been hit by flooding in all parts of the country and leptospirosis is commonly contracted through wading barefoot in floodwaters.