Thailand and the Influenza A (H1N1): Information for Visitors (Update 1, as of 15 May 2009)
- On 12 May 2009, Mr. Withaya Kaewparadai, Minister of Public Health of Thailand, made public statement that two laboratory-confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) infection have been found in Thailand, and the Thai public health authority has already reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), in compliance with the WHO International Health Regulation. However, the Ministry of Public Health also confirmed that both Thai patients have been treated and have fully recovered, and that these two cases contracted the virus while traveling outside Thailand. There is no evidence of community transmission of the virus within the Kingdom.
- The two Thai nationals recently returned, in separate trips, from Mexico in early May. Upon their arrival in Thailand, they had undergone immediate medical care under close supervision by Thai public health authority. After treatment with full dosage of anti-viral drugs, laboratory result confirms that the two patients no longer sustain the infection, there is no trace of A (H1N1), and as they are no longer infectious, they are deemed safe to return home.
- Meanwhile, as preventive measure, all persons who have been in close contact with the two patients have also undergone close surveillance by authorities. Until now, they have shown no signs of any symptoms.
- Thailand is fully prepared to cope with the possible situation of outbreak within the Kingdom. Intensive medical measures are being implemented, and the situation is still under control. Efficient surveillance and quarantine processes by Thai public health authority ensure that the general public’s welfare is not compromised, and Thailand should be considered to be safe. However, in the light of the current circumstances, Thailand continues to actively implement policy and stringent measures to prevent and control the spread of Influenza A (H1N1)
- Thailand still welcomes all visitors. However, in the light of current circumstances, the public health authority is implementing the following measures:
- monitoring and screening of inbound international travelers
- deployment of infrared thermo-scanners at all international airports in Thailand to screen incoming travelers
- distribution of Health Beware Cards, health questionnaire, and advice on self-care to inbound international travelers, by collaboration between public health authority and international airlines,
- coordination with travel agencies, hotels and airlines in order to take care and give advice to travelers,
- other measures include intensive surveillance on travelers who just returned from epidemic areas, and measures for case detection and corrective actions.
- For your own well-being and that of the general public, visitors to Thailand are requested to cooperate with and to follow instructions of public health authority, both at the ports of entry and within the Kingdom. Please answer the questionnaire truthfully, and report immediately to the public heath authority should you have fever, or develop any symptom of influenza or respiratory infection.
- Medical service in Thailand is of international standard. Thailand also has past experiences in successfully dealing with the SARS and Avian Flu. The public health authority in Thailand thus has full confidence that, with the level of preparedness gained through our experiences, collaboration with the WHO, and cooperation from the general public, we shall be able to continue to put situation under control in Thailand.
- If you have any further questions, there are two 24-hour hotlines in service, namely, the Ministry of Public Health Hotline 02 590 1994 (for calls within Thailand) or +66 2 590 1994 (for calls from abroad), and the Department of Disease Control 02 590 3333 (for calls within Thailand) or +66 2 590 3333 (for calls from abroad). You can also visit website of the Bureau of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, at http://beid.ddc.moph.go.th/eng.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th
-PM-