new mutant flu???
Phuket prepares for the new Bird Flu
(2006-09-29 14:52:30)
With growing concerns that the Bird Flu virus, H5N1, is mutating into a virus that can be transmitted directly from human to human, Phuket Provincial Health Office has put together a plan to effectively reduce the island?s potential exposure to the life threatening bug.
Wiwat Seetamanoth, deputy chief medical officer for the province, told Phuket Post that the newest strains of H5N1 are more easily transmitted from birds to humans and has the ability to mutate and infect other humans. ?Nobody can tell when that will happen, so what we are doing is being very wary of poultry. All chickens and eggs coming into Phuket through the check point at Tha Chat Chai, are being sprayed to sterilise them and we are also checking all chicken farms on Phuket.?
Symptoms of new mutant flu are the same as with bird flu and include high fever, aching muscles, sore throat, mucus build-up and appears similar to pneumonia.
?We don?t have an anti-virus to protect against this new flu yet. There are various types of medicine available, but they are very expensive and difficult to find. For now, we will keep a close look out for people with flu and pneumonia symptoms at Phuket?s hospitals.?
He explained that local officers are working with village headmen in each community to spread basic knowledge about this topic and improve local awareness. ?I believe these plans will make tourists feel safer when they come to Phuket,? added Dr Wiwat.
Phuket prepares for the new Bird Flu
(2006-09-29 14:52:30)
With growing concerns that the Bird Flu virus, H5N1, is mutating into a virus that can be transmitted directly from human to human, Phuket Provincial Health Office has put together a plan to effectively reduce the island?s potential exposure to the life threatening bug.
Wiwat Seetamanoth, deputy chief medical officer for the province, told Phuket Post that the newest strains of H5N1 are more easily transmitted from birds to humans and has the ability to mutate and infect other humans. ?Nobody can tell when that will happen, so what we are doing is being very wary of poultry. All chickens and eggs coming into Phuket through the check point at Tha Chat Chai, are being sprayed to sterilise them and we are also checking all chicken farms on Phuket.?
Symptoms of new mutant flu are the same as with bird flu and include high fever, aching muscles, sore throat, mucus build-up and appears similar to pneumonia.
?We don?t have an anti-virus to protect against this new flu yet. There are various types of medicine available, but they are very expensive and difficult to find. For now, we will keep a close look out for people with flu and pneumonia symptoms at Phuket?s hospitals.?
He explained that local officers are working with village headmen in each community to spread basic knowledge about this topic and improve local awareness. ?I believe these plans will make tourists feel safer when they come to Phuket,? added Dr Wiwat.