Up until 8 June 2009, Ministry of Public Health has confirmed the total of 10 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection in Thailand. The latest confirmed case is a 20 year-old woman who just returned to Thailand from the United States of America. She is now showing signs of recovering.
A few days earlier, results of laboratory tests confirmed four cases of Thai nationals with influenza A (H1N1) infection. Three of the cases recently returned to Thailand from the US and contracted influenza A (H1N1) while traveling outside Thailand. The fourth case is the 19 year-old son of a couple who are infected with influenza A (H1N1). He has no record of traveling overseas, thus it is the case of infection from close contact of the patients within the country. All cases have been given medical treatments and are now under close observation.
The other previous five cases are Thai nationals who returned, in separate trips, from the United States, Canada and Mexico since early May this year. The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that three of these cases have fully recovered, while the other two are recovering.
All of the ten confirmed cases, except one, are infections contracted while traveling outside Thailand and all were duly reported to the World Health Organization in accordance with the International Health Regulation.
As a preventive measure, those in close contact with the confirmed cases are undergoing close monitoring from the Ministry of Public Health.
The rapid identification of patients with confirmed influenza A (H1N1) infection in Thailand is due to intensive surveillance system in Thailand as well as excellent cooperation from the public, especially those who returned from affected areas. Every patient with a confirmed influenza A (H1N1) infection had received anti-viral drugs treatment within 48 hours, with satisfactory result, as all of the patients have recovered and there has been no death. The Ministry of Public Health will emphasize on the disease prevention within the kingdom and limit spreading of influenza A (H1N1) to as narrowest scope as possible. The authorities would also continue to tighten surveillance measures to promptly identify the patient, providing effective medical treatment and keeping public awareness on self-prevention from infection.
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.
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 as well as major immigration border checkpoints 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 disease control.
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