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

[robert00]

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!

Mate you just said it, SAVING FACE.

[softgeorge]

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

If you get you coincidence inoculation prior to going to Chiangmai you should be o.k.

[Payboy]

If you get you coincidence inoculation prior to going to Chiangmai you should be o.k.

The good people at TAT have made it convenient to get this vaccine on arrival at any Thai airport. Just go to the counter between "Brain Deposit" and "Empty Wallets Here".

[ajarnmimi]

I like spending holidays in Chiang mai. We cannot generalize..I mean, we cannot say it is unsafe to travel or stay in Chiang Mai considering over 100,000 are living in that province and there is no epidemic.

As a traveler, we need to be careful with new or unfamiliar food and place. It is also better to see the reviews of the hotels before we book.

[Soutpeel]

I like spending holidays in Chiang mai. We cannot generalize..I mean, we cannot say it is unsafe to travel or stay in Chiang Mai considering over 100,000 are living in that province and there is no epidemic.

As a traveler, we need to be careful with new or unfamiliar food and place. It is also better to see the reviews of the hotels before we book.

Do you work for TAT by any chance ?....

[Zpete]

I hit Chiang Mai every visit to the LoS, often more than once.

Love the laid back atmosphere.

Last trip, just married, we stayed at a hotel for a change, we backpack normally.

Trubl after having breakfast on 2nd morning, gutz ache and trots, lasted all day.

Next day we left and stayed a week at my regular b/packers.

The hotel was NOT exactly a shining example of cleanliness.

The b/p has always excelled at hygiene.

Love the Sukathai BBQ place, great food and seems so clean, we eat there most nites.

Love our holiday break in Chiang Mai,

WE WILL BE BACK.

BTW, I am a Kiwi.

[BuckarooBanzai]

Seems they should check employees of the hotel for a possible carrier of echovirus.

[newtronbom]

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.

I did read an article or post where they looked at legionnaires as a possible cause, but it was ruled out because of the rapid onset of symptoms with these deaths. Legionnaires takes a lot longer to "manifest" itself. Symptoms are I agree very similar though, apart from these being so severe and rapid. Still. I just can't accept this as a coincidence. I am sure there may be other deaths from the same cause that have not been connected with this yet. It would be interesting to find out the numbers of similar deaths that went unnoticed or misdiagnosed , if it was looked at within a year prior to this. If the Thai deaths (a lot easier for the police and doctors write off) from these symptoms were added from the same period, I bet this would look horrible. Thais do have a much higher resistance to food poisoning and such than us westerners though, so many may have just got very sick. Something just doesn't feel right about all this though. Not knowing what the cause of it all is - or isn't - however, to my way of thinking, seems very dangerous. Maybe fatal for more good people in the future. One can only hope that the cause has gone - or has been removed quietly - so that no more need die. How this has been kind of brushed over is simply amazing to me.

[newtronbom]

I like spending holidays in Chiang mai. We cannot generalize..I mean, we cannot say it is unsafe to travel or stay in Chiang Mai considering over 100,000 are living in that province and there is no epidemic.

As a traveler, we need to be careful with new or unfamiliar food and place. It is also better to see the reviews of the hotels before we book.

Do you work for TAT by any chance ?....

How would you know there has been "no epidemic" as you call it, if deaths of Thais are not factored in, it may well be much larger than we know......sorry.

[PingandSingh]

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.

I pass by at the Downtown Inn almost every day. It is business as usual there; at the end TIT (This is Thailand). I am sure that people staying there now, even don't know what happened.

My thoughts are with the victims; it is horrible. RIP

[jimbeam1]

As a traveler, we need to be careful with new or unfamiliar food and place. It is also better to see the reviews of the hotels before we book.

How exactly do you intend to do this? Also how is reading the reviews going to help?

Basically the place + the TAT need a kick up the arris.

jb1

[edwardandtubs]

Just one more nail in the Thai tourism industry coffin.

Isn't that cliché just shooting yourself in the foot?

[manarak]

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.

Ach, that's because Thailand is the country getting most of Britain's tourists aver 60 looking for some fun!

Most of the deaths are due to heart attacks occuring in the middle of "intense physical activity"

[pjclark1]

I live in CM

Downtown Inn is open (and surprisingly seems to have guests)

Most likely cause of death cyanide poisoning IMHO (death too fast for disease)

Health care in Thailand very poor.

Went to a CM hospital Thursday for my wife to have a pregnancy test. Sorry not pregnant .... do it again .... OK, she pregnant, sorry we make mistake first time, mai pen rai!

Don't believe any test result from a Thai hospital/doctor/lab

Edited March 19, 2011 by pjclark1

[londonthai]

cyanide poisoning IMHO (death too fast for disease)

it's easy to be detected by the smell by any doctor.

if the cause of death is not certain they should not cremate or at least keep the vital organs for the future investigation. The first victim from the series of these suspected deaths was cremated and part of the puzzle is missing

[jimbeam1]

cyanide poisoning IMHO (death too fast for disease)

it's easy to be detected by the smell by any doctor.

if the cause of death is not certain they should not cremate or at least keep the vital organs for the future investigation. The first victim from the series of these suspected deaths was cremated and part of the puzzle is missing

Already cremated. Didn't you just know that would happen. No more than you would expect from any, corrupt third world country.

jb1

[geriatrickid]

If you get you coincidence inoculation prior to going to Chiangmai you should be o.k.

There is no vaccine.

The string of RNA that compromise an echovirus is a naturally occurring beastie. Many people are naturally immune. It is a member of genus enterovirus which includes polio and its viral relation hepatitis. These are the only two groups for which there are vaccines.

Consider washing ones hands with soap and water and eating well cooked meals with clean utensils and the risks of contracting an illness go down significantly.

[whybother]

If you get you coincidence inoculation prior to going to Chiangmai you should be o.k.

There is no vaccine.

The string of RNA that compromise an echovirus is a naturally occurring beastie. Many people are naturally immune. It is a member of genus enterovirus which includes polio and its viral relation hepatitis. These are the only two groups for which there are vaccines.

Consider washing ones hands with soap and water and eating well cooked meals with clean utensils and the risks of contracting an illness go down significantly.

What?? No vaccine for coincidences?? How will we all survive??

[geriatrickid]

I live in CM

Downtown Inn is open (and surprisingly seems to have guests)

Most likely cause of death cyanide poisoning IMHO (death too fast for disease)

Health care in Thailand very poor.

Went to a CM hospital Thursday for my wife to have a pregnancy test. Sorry not pregnant .... do it again .... OK, she pregnant, sorry we make mistake first time, mai pen rai!

Don't believe any test result from a Thai hospital/doctor/lab

How can you make such a wild claim? There is absolutely no indication of cyanide poisoning. Where is your evidence? None of the subjects demonstrated cyanide poisoning

Ok, so your pregnancy test didn't test positive the first time. It happens. Big deal. No pregnancy test is accurate 100% of the time. There are false readings. Any number of factors can be implicated in an inaccurate test result. In addition to human error, ambient temperatures, and contamination of the testing material, a subject's diet or hygiene can have an impact. How would you like it if I started claiming that your partner was dirty and that's why the test gave a false result? Be fair. You have no idea why the test result was inaccurate.

[softgeorge]

cyanide poisoning IMHO (death too fast for disease)

it's easy to be detected by the smell by any doctor.

if the cause of death is not certain they should not cremate or at least keep the vital organs for the future investigation. The first victim from the series of these suspected deaths was cremated and part of the puzzle is missing

Already cremated. Didn't you just know that would happen. No more than you would expect from any, corrupt third world country.

jb1

You CAN NOT just simply cremate or dispose of a body without the authority of family. Some people do not believe in cremation and for anyone to cremate anothers loved one is like slapping the family in the face and showing total disrepect at the highest level. I seriously doubt that even Thailand would stoop to such a low.

[kennalder]

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....ad-Kiwi-tourist

Surely this is just inaccurate reporting. Tell me it wasn't the police that checked it.

[TigerWan]

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.

Sorry but the explosive diarrhea I have not seen that reported anywhere please link?

In fact the The CDC Bulletin was clear : LACK OF SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN VOMITING... Patients are vomiting profusely, just like Phi Phi , and Phuket in May and June 2009

Two separate viruses were found, not subject of CDC March 11 Bulletin. Cause of death is unknown. error in that article above states the Mycarditus is Co D .

C o D is UNKNOWN at this point

What clinches it for me is number of patients are young attractive western women is most disproportionate.

I say eye drops serial poisoner, may not know how dangerous it is , targets young attractive, western women. Maybe a worker at the food court nearby?

[TigerWan]

From what I read on popular med sites. myocarditus can be caused by any stress at all -bacterial , viral , toxin, disease. etc.

People are dying, mostly young attractive western women, and the other common thread is vomiting without diarrhea or respiratory symptoms.

Ms Carter apparently had a very common virus that can cause no symptoms in many. I believe her health was a factor in her death , but that her death was caused by something else, a poison.

People react to different toxins according to their health status, even genes effect the consequences . Iingesting alcohol could make the difference between illness and death. Dosage of the drops too. a few drops or half the bottle?

Googling that CDC leak The page buttons are in Thai. Please, anyone see if there is an update .

http://pr.ddc.moph.g...etil.php?id=243

"Common features of the illness among these patients include vomiting without diarrhea and lack of respiratory symptoms..."

Disease Outbreak News

Myocarditis cases in Chiangmai – update 1 (11 March 2011)

On 9 February, the Department of Disease Control was requested by the Chiangmai Provincial Health Office to assist in an investigation into myocarditis cases. The joint investigation team found four clinically-confirmed cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and another two patients with mild symptoms. These six patients were among three separate groups of tourists visiting Chiang Mai, Thailand, between 9 January and 4 February 2011.

All were young women aged 23-33 years and were from the United States (1), Canada (1), France (2) and New Zealand (3).

Of these six patients three died (one each from the USA, France and New Zealand). Five of them became ill while visiting Chiang Mai and one developed symptoms three days before arriving there. Common features of the illness among these patients include vomiting without diarrhea and lack of respiratory symptoms. One patient had a fever but all others were afebrile. [did not.]

Extensive epidemiological investigation has not revealed any common exposures across the three groups. Laboratory testing of blood and stools to date has not revealed anything except for evidence of infection by an echovirus in one patient and by a Coxsackie virus in another patient from New Zealand.

Autopsies on two of the dead patients (American and French) were done by forensic medical expert of Chiang Mai University. The autopsies found nothing abnormal except for inflammation of the heart muscle. The Department of Disease Control has shared this information with the WHO and US CDC offices in Bangkok, as well as the New Zealand Embassy and the International Health Regulation (IHR) focal points of France and the European Community.

In a separate episode, since 3 February, there were three other deaths in the same hotel where the three New Zealanders stayed. This included an elderly British couple and a 47 year old Thai woman. As these three deaths occurred outside the hospital, the police took charge of the investigation. The autopsies of the two elderly Britons found a high degree of coronary occlusion while the examination of the Thai woman found no inflammation of the heart muscle or any other clear evidence to explain the cause of her death.

Myocarditis is a well known illness that may result from many possible etiologies such as viral infection, bacterial infection and toxins and can be found everywhere from time to time. However, four cases among young healthy adults in the same location is rare. The Department of Disease Control will continue its intensive investigation and collaborate with the WHO, IHR authorities and embassy contact persons of the USA, France and New Zealand to determine the causes of myocarditis in all these cases, which may be of the same or of different etiologies.

While the causes of the illnesses remain unknown at this time, travelers are recommended to take general preventive health measures that include eating only hot food, drinking clean water and taking enough rest and exercise. Those who experience severe sudden multiple vomiting with or without diarrhea, should seek medical attention immediately.

Edited March 19, 2011 by TigerWan

[TheFishman1]

I am planning a trip to Chiang Mai next month,my 1st question is which Hotel was this,I do not believe I want to check in there for fear of not checking out alive.2nd, question I am trying to understand this all these people die and there know exact cause? I was thinking before reading all this that Chiang Mai might be a nice place to live or retire too.Last question so I should not eat sea-weed if on the menu?

[TigerWan]

^ The sea weed story has been determined to have been false info by authorities. Welcome to Land of Smiles.

I recommend you watch your beverage, especially if you are young attractive western women. I might even buy my own bottled water for use at the hotel.

May 1 2009 man who was ill at Phi- Phi, Ryan Kells said the US embassy recommended cremation of Jill St Onge's body before C o D was determined. Returning a body is expensive and I imagine, frustrating.

Travelers advisories should state Thai culture s really hasn't the same concerns about death and if you expire in Lo S , it is quite possible your death may well go un- investigated.

Edited March 19, 2011 by TigerWan

[Lizard2010]

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.

I pass by at the Downtown Inn almost every day. It is business as usual there; at the end TIT (This is Thailand). I am sure that people staying there now, even don't know what happened.

My thoughts are with the victims; it is horrible. RIP

I was their when the first person died.

We did not know it had happened!

[bangon04]

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.

Ach, that's because Thailand is the country getting most of Britain's tourists aver 60 looking for some fun!

Most of the deaths are due to heart attacks occuring in the middle of "intense physical activity"

In Chiang Mai???? Please... More likely playing bridge.

[pjclark1]

You have no idea why the test result was inaccurate.

The lab tech said "we made mistake" and giggled.

[casey1]

As a Kiwi reading this post some thoughts come to mind;

Regarding the 'official travel warning' issued,, you need to understand the current culture prevalent in New Zealand; who can we blame when things go wrong.

In recent years the culture in New Zealand has become best described as a "nanny' state" with an abdication of personal responsibility.

The powers that be in New Zealand find themselves in an almost catch 22 situation. If they do not say anything then they are damned, if they say something they are damned.....

The average New Zealander would have absolutely no idea of what CM is like period! and this is not said with mean intent, this is just New Zealand is tucked away at the bottom of the world, relatively isolated from experiencing different cultures. Yes Kiwis are great travellers but not always the most intelligent about common sense...and personal well being.

Do not get get me wrong, for the families of those who have lost loved ones, the outcomes in CM are the very worst and and this coupled with death in a different land with a vastly different culture, where communication is not always like it is at home......frustration must play a big part.

But we have more chance of dying within the family in New Zealand than meeting death overseas, go and check out New Zealand's child death statistics from family violence...

And I can show you parts of New Zealand that would be comparable with some poorer parts of Thailand no problems.....

But my overall impression is how many posts complain so bitterly about Thailand and its ways and wherefores.....

People, Thailand is their country, most of you are not Thai, if you do not like how they conduct themselves or their country because it does not match your countries practices then it is quite easy; find somewhere else to go,,,,, maybe take a good hard look at the country you each hail from..... there is without doubt some really dirty washing hiding there somewhere....

And remember this part of the world has a long long history, who is to say our evolution from outside Asia is really any better....

[philhal2]

".....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.

Perhaps get your commonsense out and dust it off a little 2 dont need a degree to work out if there are a lot of people dying somewhere , its not smart to go there , Interesting part is the all of the victims seem to be women but for 1 older man . 4 of the women all under 45 and it seems that they were all staying in the same place ( Hotel ) ?