New Zealand Issues Travel Health Warning For Thailand After Sixth Poisoning Death

[webfact]

Thailand travel health warning after sixth poisoning death

New Zealanders travelling to Chiang Mai in Thailand should take preventive health measures following six mystery deaths in the city, including New Zealander Sarah Carter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) says.

Ms Carter, 23, became ill last month while staying at the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai, and died a day later.

Early reports suggested the cause of her death was toxic seaweed she had eaten, but food poisoning tests proved inconclusive.

Since her death a further five people have been reported as having died in similar circumstances around the same time.

A report by Thailand's Department of Disease Control found Ms Carter was one of three people to die as a result of myocarditis between January 9 and February 4 in Chiang Mai - the others were American Soraya Vorster, 33, and a Frenchwoman aged between 23 and 33.

An elderly British couple and a 47-year-old Thai woman staying in the same hotel as Ms Carter also died around the same time, in similar circumstances.

Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disakul said their deaths were coincidence.

MFAT said in a travel advisory issued yesterday evening it was aware of the six unexplained deaths.

"The cause of death is unknown, and the results to date are inconclusive although there has been speculative media comment linking the deaths to local food markets."

The advisory warned travellers to take general preventive health measures, including paying attention to personal hygiene, eating only hot food and drinking clean water.

"Those who experience severe sudden multiple vomiting with or without diarrhoea, should seek medical attention immediately.

"The Governor and authorities in Chiang Mai have asserted that Chiang Mai is safe for tourists.

"However, in light of the lack of any clear explanation of the recent deaths, it is up to individual travellers themselves to determine the risks of travelling there."

- NZPA

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/national-news/4783969/Thailand-travel-health-warning

-- The Southland Times 2011-03-18

Related link

Tourist Deaths In Chiang Mai Just A ‘Coincidence’

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[londonthai]

so far, from the lack of proof for food poisoning, it rather should be treated as a coincidence. Travel health warnings are serious matter, as they can invalidate travel insurance

[Payboy]

in light of the lack of any clear explanation

A clear and accurate explanation would require a diligent and honest investigation.

[Harcourt]

".....it is up to individual travellers themselves to determine the risks of travelling there."

OK....I'll just get my medical degree out of the attic and give it a brush off. Haven't used it in a while.

[coma]

That may teach the Thai authorities not to beat around the bush when it comes to numerous Foriegn tourist deaths in the same establishment within a short period of time. The simple fact that they tried to give the old 'coincidence' throw away line has now come back and bit them on thier incompetent backsides.

[gotlost]

NZ is doing the correct thing and it is typical Thai government of sticking their head up their arse on this.

[nikster]

A frenchwoman aged between 23 and 33? What kind of news is this?

"Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disakul said their deaths were coincidence."

Reassuring to know they're doing everything in their power to get to the bottom of this... NOT.

[asiawatcher]

As every foreigner uses air con in Thailand, I am surprised they have not investigated the old Downtown Inn for Legionnaires Disease.

Symptoms are headaches, muscle pains, chills, fevers over 104 during the first few days then it compounds to heavy coughs with mucus, creating shortness of breath as the lungs are now not fully functioning, which leads to chest pain and fatigue, loss of appetite, further weakening the body, confusion and mental retardation apart from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Quite simply they can die when their lungs collapse as they do not have the capacity of reasoning to help themselves.

If anyone is a reasonably frail or their immune system even semi 'low' they cannot fight this and it seems the only plausible cause as bacteria enters the lungs and the disease compounds from there often leading to death - which of course, looks like natural causes as all symptoms are 'expected' and not out of the ordinary.

The continuing 'ignorant' response by Thai authorities of co-incidence is simply "buck-passing" as the odds of multiple deaths in the same building of unexplained causes is simply inexcusable. If NZ and other countries continue a "country" health warning over one building in Chiang Mai, you would think the Health Administration would get off their butts or at least the Govt would send a directive to investigate... oh never mind. T.i.T.

Edited March 18, 2011 by asiawatcher

[ginjag]

A frenchwoman aged between 23 and 33? What kind of news is this?

"Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disakul said their deaths were coincidence."

Reassuring to know they're doing everything in their power to get to the bottom of this... NOT.

Worm your way out of this ANTI THAI bashers................................coincidence 55555555555555........this topic got critics, looks like a government has listened to the outcry..................keep bashing ( when needed).

This hotel should be closed--and the mess cleared up....For Chiang Mai's sake--and tourists...........greed again though.

[BarnicaleBob]

Looking at what limited information we have on the French woman, I see a lot of things that make me think that Soraya Vorster and the Frenchwoman are the same person. They both were with a Canadian female friend, same age range (French woman 23 to 33, Soraya 33) and both died in the same time range (French woman Jan 9 to Feb 4 and Soraya became ill on Jan 9 and died on Jan 11) and finally Soraya Vorster although here on a U.S. passport was also a French citizen.

[trogers]

".....it is up to individual travellers themselves to determine the risks of travelling there."

OK....I'll just get my medical degree out of the attic and give it a brush off. Haven't used it in a while.

And how many travellers put considerations for safety and security over their travel budget?

[sirchai]

A frenchwoman aged between 23 and 33? What kind of news is this?

"Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disakul said their deaths were coincidence."

Reassuring to know they're doing everything in their power to get to the bottom of this... NOT.

"The cause of death is unknown, and the results to date are inconclusive although there has been speculative media comment linking the deaths to local food markets."

It's also unknown why they don't close this place.:jap:

[Soutpeel]

i stand to be corrected, but in most cases doesn't myocarditis come about from a viral infection?, therefore testing for food poisoning is somewhat irrelvant considering that would be bacterial.

the lack of any clear explanation of the recent deaths is most likely due to the fact that the authorites concerned are looking in the wrong place...

Coincidence my arse

[Donnyboy]

As every foreigner uses air con in Thailand, I am surprised they have not investigated the old Downtown Inn for Legionnaires Disease.

Symptoms are headaches, muscle pains, chills, fevers over 104 during the first few days then it compounds to heavy coughs with mucus, creating shortness of breath as the lungs are now not fully functioning, which leads to chest pain and fatigue, loss of appetite, further weakening the body, confusion and mental retardation apart from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Quite simply they can die when their lungs collapse as they do not have the capacity of reasoning to help themselves.

If anyone is a reasonably frail or their immune system even semi 'low' they cannot fight this and it seems the only plausible cause as bacteria enters the lungs and the disease compounds from there often leading to death - which of course, looks like natural causes as all symptoms are 'expected' and not out of the ordinary.

The continuing 'ignorant' response by Thai authorities of co-incidence is simply "buck-passing" as the odds of multiple deaths in the same building of unexplained causes is simply inexcusable. If NZ and other countries continue a "country" health warning over one building in Chiang Mai, you would think the Health Administration would get off their butts or at least the Govt would send a directive to investigate... oh never mind. T.i.T.

im sure i read that Soraya Vorster didnt stay at the downtown inn

[elektrified]

As every foreigner uses air con in Thailand, I am surprised they have not investigated the old Downtown Inn for Legionnaires Disease.

Symptoms are headaches, muscle pains, chills, fevers over 104 during the first few days then it compounds to heavy coughs with mucus, creating shortness of breath as the lungs are now not fully functioning, which leads to chest pain and fatigue, loss of appetite, further weakening the body, confusion and mental retardation apart from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Quite simply they can die when their lungs collapse as they do not have the capacity of reasoning to help themselves.

If anyone is a reasonably frail or their immune system even semi 'low' they cannot fight this and it seems the only plausible cause as bacteria enters the lungs and the disease compounds from there often leading to death - which of course, looks like natural causes as all symptoms are 'expected' and not out of the ordinary.

The continuing 'ignorant' response by Thai authorities of co-incidence is simply "buck-passing" as the odds of multiple deaths in the same building of unexplained causes is simply inexcusable. If NZ and other countries continue a "country" health warning over one building in Chiang Mai, you would think the Health Administration would get off their butts or at least the Govt would send a directive to investigate... oh never mind. T.i.T.

im sure i read that Soraya Vorster didnt stay at the downtown inn

I also read the same. They are different people.

[Oberkommando]

People need to be aware that according to British consular officials, Thailand is the most dangerous tourist destination for British tourists.

I'm continually surprised at the lack of adequate warnings for visitors to Thailand from the British Embassy and FCO.

[dunkin2012]

Whatta hell!.............. It ain't acceptable. I ain't feel safe goin' to Chiang Mai or its vicinity until I become aware of the major cause of the deaths. Does anyone live in Chiang Mai can tell us if Downtown Inn is still open? That's why they categorized Thai as one of the 3rd world counties.

[happyrobert]

Just one more nail in the Thai tourism industry coffin. Only a matter of time before it's lowered into the ground for good.

But I do appreciate the official government advice to "pay attention to (my) personal hygeine." Quite helpful as I had not thought of that on my own. Thank goodness for government experts and their reports.

[JPPR2]

This entire article makes virtually no sense and offers very little value to anyone other then to create unnecessary panic. I used to see these kind of dribble articles in US papers all the time. Look about page 2 to 4 on of any of them. I do not want to say I do not have sympathy for the losses of the folks but come on.

They identified what appears to be 3 in article by name but that might be a debate. They did not identify others; No ages, nationality, location or if it was the same hotel. They did not state whether they passed of same symptoms. A person checking in and dieing the next day is odd anywhere in the world.

Interesting how NZ can issue a travel warning and label it "Poisoning deaths" yet there is nothing to confirm or deny it. Sorry, this is lousy media hype.

Back to the news....

[swillowbee]

so far, from the lack of proof for food poisoning, it rather should be treated as a coincidence. Travel health warnings are serious matter, as they can invalidate travel insurance

...right you are ... coincidence ... "Death by Coincidence."

... all this agitation by the high-brow foreigners, who claim to be better than Thais just because they are educated and have higher cultural values, is just hoo-ha ... Death by Coincidence is a perfectly acceptable conclusion by the hopelessly ignorant and interminably corrupt Thais.

... want to place your destiny into the hands of a nation of children? ... welcome to Thailand.

[geriatrickid]

As every foreigner uses air con in Thailand, I am surprised they have not investigated the old Downtown Inn for Legionnaires Disease.

Symptoms are headaches, muscle pains, chills, fevers over 104 during the first few days then it compounds to heavy coughs with mucus, creating shortness of breath as the lungs are now not fully functioning, which leads to chest pain and fatigue, loss of appetite, further weakening the body, confusion and mental retardation apart from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Quite simply they can die when their lungs collapse as they do not have the capacity of reasoning to help themselves.

If anyone is a reasonably frail or their immune system even semi 'low' they cannot fight this and it seems the only plausible cause as bacteria enters the lungs and the disease compounds from there often leading to death - which of course, looks like natural causes as all symptoms are 'expected' and not out of the ordinary.

The continuing 'ignorant' response by Thai authorities of co-incidence is simply "buck-passing" as the odds of multiple deaths in the same building of unexplained causes is simply inexcusable. If NZ and other countries continue a "country" health warning over one building in Chiang Mai, you would think the Health Administration would get off their butts or at least the Govt would send a directive to investigate... oh never mind. T.i.T.

The symptoms manifested were not indicative of the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. Legionnaires is a respiratory illness and one doesn't get explosive diarhea as was the case with some of the deceased.

I believe that all signs point to a common virus that kills hundreds of people in Thailand on an annual basis. The numbers of dead do not suggest an epidemic at this point. Although, there are most likely a few asymptomatic carriers spreading it about.

[EyesWideOpen]

Kudos to New Zealand for taking a bit of action. This type of pressure is the only way to get the Thai government to do something other than " cover your ass"....

[BuckarooBanzai]

Virus killed NZ tourist in Thailand

Updated: 14:13, Saturday March 12, 2011

A young New Zealander who died in Thailand last month had a highly infectious virus which can spark the heart condition which killed her, tests show.

Sarah Carter, 23, died in Chiang Mai, where she was holidaying with friends Emma Langlands, 23, and Amanda Eliason, 24. All three were seriously ill and suffered vomiting and heart complications but only Carter died.

Four other people - an elderly British couple, an American woman and a Thai woman - also died unexpectedly in Chiang Mai within five weeks and their deaths are being investigated.

But the Dominion Post on Saturday reported tests carried out on Carter showed she had echovirus - a highly contagious disease which can cause myocarditis, the heart condition which killed her. The disease is linked to dirty, overcrowded conditions.

The discovery was revealed by Thai doctor Pasakorn Akarasewi, who met New Zealand embassy staff to report the investigation's latest findings on Thursday night.

British couple George and Eileen Everitt died in the Downtown Inn - the same hotel Carter and her friends were staying in - just two weeks later, while Thai woman Waraporn Pungmahisiranon, 47, died in the room next to Carter on February 3, the day before the New Zealanders became ill.

The hotel's air conditioning and facilities have been checked but nothing suspicious found.

http://www.skynews.c...?id=588109&vId=

Tests link virus to dead Kiwi tourist

Tests have revealed that Kiwi backpacker Sarah Carter had a highly infectious virus that can cause the same heart condition that killed her in Thailand last month. Thai health authorities are still investigating what caused the sudden deaths of Ms Carter, 23, and four others in Chiang Mai within five week, including an elderly British couple, an American woman and a Thai woman.

Ms Carter and Kiwi friends Emma Langlands, 23, and Amanda Eliason, 24, became seriously ill with vomiting and heart complications while staying at the Downtown Inn in the northern tourist city.

Ms Carter died of myocarditis, or acute inflammation of the heart muscle, on February 6, and Ms Eliason needed emergency heart surgery. Their illness was initially blamed on food poisoning from a seaweed toxin.

Thai doctor Pasakorn Akarasewi met New Zealand embassy staff for a two-hour briefing on Thursday night to report the investigation's latest findings.

His report includes newly released autopsy tests, which showed Ms Carter had echovirus, a highly contagious disease linked to dirty, overcrowded conditions, which can cause myocarditis.

Dr Akarasewi, Bureau of Epidemiology director for Thailand's Department of Disease Control, said doctors were unsure what caused the Kiwis' illnesses.

"After the group of three New Zealanders, we set up the joint investigation team," he said.

Soon after, the team heard about the deaths of elderly British couple George and Eileen Everitt in the same hotel only two weeks later. Members also heard about Thai woman Waraporn Pungmahisiranon, 47, who died in the room next to Ms Carter on February 3 – the day before the New Zealanders became severely ill.

Dr Akarasewi said autopsy results showed the British couple had blocked heart arteries, which could have caused their deaths.

A fifth victim, American woman Mariam Soraya Vorster, 33, who died on January 11, though not in the Downtown Inn, had symptoms that were "in the same pattern" as Ms Carter's.

Although her death occurred a month earlier, an autopsy had been performed before her cremation in Chiang Mai, he said.

Thai police had checked the Downtown Inn's air conditioning and facilities but found nothing untoward.

- The Dominion Post

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/4760041/Tests-link-virus-to-dead-Kiwi-tourist

Edited March 18, 2011 by BuckarooBanzai

[jimbeam1]

It seems quite obvious that the authorities in Chaing mia, are covering up here. Unless their Pathologists are not capable of finding out what is actually happening there (which is probably the case)

All travel agencies world wide should now be warning people not to travel to Chaing Mia and if they have booked to make other arrangements. Also at least the National Embassy's of the victims, should get involved and demand that there own Pathologists are brought in to take over. They must be made to understand that they need us more than we need them.

Well done NEW ZEALAND.

jb1

Edited March 18, 2011 by jimbeam1

[dunkin2012]

It seems quite obvious that the authorities in Chaing mia, are covering up here. Unless their Pathologists are not capable of finding out what is actually happening there (which is probably the case)

All travel agencies world wide should now be warning people not to travel to Chaing Mia and if they have booked to make other arrangements. Also at least the National Embassy's of the victims, should get involved and demand that there own Pathologists are brought in to take over. They must be made to understand that they need us more than we need them.

Well done NEW ZEALAND.

jb1

I am not in Chiang Mai. And feelin' fuc*in' unhappy with the outcome here from the Thai Authorities. I am curious to know the situation of the tourist industry in Chiang mai.Is it gettin' better or worse? This case may sooner or later be gone with the wind again like some of many other cases. I doubt about it. The authorities are so ignorant they pretend as if nothing's ever been blood...y happened. For me, I have nothing do to in Chiang Mai though. I can drop it out from my list goin' to Chiang Mai is not really necessary until there will be some changes. RIP Chiang Mai rulers ....

[Steely Dan]

Looking at what limited information we have on the French woman, I see a lot of things that make me think that Soraya Vorster and the Frenchwoman are the same person. They both were with a Canadian female friend, same age range (French woman 23 to 33, Soraya 33) and both died in the same time range (French woman Jan 9 to Feb 4 and Soraya became ill on Jan 9 and died on Jan 11) and finally Soraya Vorster although here on a U.S. passport was also a French citizen.

Hmmm, Dying twice would indeed be bad luck. I'm pleasantly surprised if some has resulted from this though I think we need more nations to follow New Zealand's lead for any real investigation to take place.

[pisico]

A frenchwoman aged between 23 and 33? What kind of news is this?

"Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disakul said their deaths were coincidence."

Reassuring to know they're doing everything in their power to get to the bottom of this... NOT.

Worm your way out of this ANTI THAI bashers................................coincidence 55555555555555........this topic got critics, looks like a government has listened to the outcry..................keep bashing ( when needed).

This hotel should be closed--and the mess cleared up....For Chiang Mai's sake--and tourists...........greed again though.

And what is more important: SAVING FACE!

Everything in Thailand is so good that it could not be better.

Oi vey!

[londonthai]

Thai doctor Pasakorn Akarasewi ... released autopsy tests, which showed Ms Carter had echovirus, a highly contagious disease linked to dirty, overcrowded conditions, which can cause myocarditis.

Dr Akarasewi, Bureau of Epidemiology director for Thailand's Department of Disease Control, said doctors were unsure what caused the Kiwis' illnesses.

poisoning in the title suggests food, that's the most common meaning.

now, echovirus is an infection.

saying, that thai doctors are not sure, what killed ms carter, is strange. Autopsy revealed that she had this virus

[Soutpeel]

Thai doctor Pasakorn Akarasewi ... released autopsy tests, which showed Ms Carter had echovirus, a highly contagious disease linked to dirty, overcrowded conditions, which can cause myocarditis.

Dr Akarasewi, Bureau of Epidemiology director for Thailand's Department of Disease Control, said doctors were unsure what caused the Kiwis' illnesses.

poisoning in the title suggests food, that's the most common meaning.

now, echovirus is an infection.

saying, that thai doctors are not sure, what killed ms carter, is strange. Autopsy revealed that she had this virus

Courtsey of our friends at Wikki

"Main causes of infection are from overcrowded conditions such as the poor districts of a city and poor hygiene. Echoviruses are transmitted person-to-person; the fecal-oral route is the predominant mode, although transmission sometimes occurs via respiration of oral secretions such as saliva. Indirect transmission occurs through numerous routes, including via contaminated water, food, and fomites (inanimate objects). Contaminated swimming and wading pools can also transmit the virus. Also, there are well-documented reports of transmission via the contaminated hands of hospital personnel"

[robert00]

That may teach the Thai authorities not to beat around the bush when it comes to numerous Foriegn tourist deaths in the same establishment within a short period of time. The simple fact that they tried to give the old 'coincidence' throw away line has now come back and bit them on thier incompetent backsides.

I bet you any amount they havn't even checked the Down Town Inn Hotel as yet, maybe it was in the air conditioner, who knows, but why make so much fuss over a few Farang tourist's

when they keep coming back anyway.