Thai Govt Dismisses Health Fears: Flood

[webfact]

Govt dismisses health fears

Chularat Saengpassa

Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

Stinking water 'poses little threat'; Disease fatalities are minimal so far

Despite filthy stagnant floodwater spreading in many provinces, the government yesterday tried to play down fears of a public health crisis, citing the "success" in avoiding outbreak of fatal communicable diseases like leptospirosis and cholera.

Disease Control Department (DCD) director general Porntep Siriwanarangsun yesterday assured the public that although incidences of communicable diseases were detected during the ongoing flood crisis, they did not pose a serious threat.

Of more than 2.1 million Thais seriously affected by floods, fewer than 100,000 are staying at government shelters. That means at least 2 million people have been making do on their own, taking care of their own foods, drinks as well as hygiene. Many have had to live with no electricity and clean water has been scarce. Garbage has been accumulating, but it is not the only reason why floodwaters in many areas have become almost unbearably smelly.

Concerns have grown about the government's ability to cope with an exploding health emergency, as the Flood Relief Operations Centre is structured primarily for water management and immediate rescue operations. FROC's reach has proved very limited in rescue activities, let alone dealing with a health crisis at a time when a large number of people could be exposed to diseases, hospital personnel have been stretched or affected by floods themselves, and transport proven difficult.

The government, however, expressed confident that the situation is still under control. "We have been monitoring the situation. Some cases are detected but the diseases are not spreading among a big group of people," Porntep pointed out.

Public fear about health risks during the ongoing floods has increased lately after international agencies such as World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have voiced concerns.

Matthew Cochrane, communications and advocacy manager, SouthEast Asia at IFRC, was quoted by CNN a few days ago as warning of diseases such as diarrhoea, dengue fever and malaria in the coming days and weeks in floodhit areas.

"There are places on the outskirts of Bangkok and in other parts of the country which have been flooded for nearly two weeks," he was quoted as speaking.

Pornthep yesterday said to date, common diseases found among the flood victims at 160 evacuation centres were just mere cold, diarrhoea, and conjunctivitis.

"No dysentery. No typhoid," he said.

He disclosed that one case of cholera was detected in Bangkok's Prawet district but diseasecontrol measures were already put in place there.

"We are confident that there will be no outbreak of cholera in Bangkok," he said.

Asked if a large number of people would catch cholera if some cholerainfected human faeces were dropped into floodwater, Pornthep said, "If you don't directly contact the infected stuff or put it into your mouth, there's no significant risk. But to play safe, please eat only fullycooked and safe food".

On leptospirosis, Pornthep said some cases were detected in Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet with two deaths reported.

"However, their deaths are not related to flooding," he said, "They caught the disease after they went back to their farms. Floodwater has already subsided".

Leptospirosis is a dangerous disease. Infected people may succumb within seven days if they do not receive proper treatment.

Pornthep said available statistics from floodhit foreign countries showed about one per cent of floodvictim population would come down with leptospirosis.

He, therefore, believed that Thailand would see more than 10,000 people catching the disease because flooding has already directly affected about one million people in the country. He also believed most patients would be the residents of Bangkok and its adjacent provinces.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called a spirochete.

Leptospirosis can be transmitted by many animals such as rats. It is transmitted though contact with infected soil or water. The soil or water is contaminated with the waste products of an infected animal. People contract the disease by either ingesting contaminated food or water or by broken skin and mucous membrane (eyes, nose, sinuses, mouth) contact with the contaminated water or soil.

"Rats won't run around when floodwater is high. But once floodwater subsides, people must quickly dispose of garbage or else rats will show up and spread the disease," Pornthep said.

Currently, runoff water from the upper part of the country is crashing down on Bangkok and its adjacent provinces. A large number of city residents have now lived in their seriouslyflooded homes.

Asked about infected waste at hosiptals, Pornthep said hospitals were already instructed about how to safely dispose such waste in flood time.

"The risk of contracting serious diseases from infected waste is almost nil," he said.

Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said DCD had received Bt7 million for the urgent mission of controlling the communicable diseases during the flood.

Pollution Control Department deputy director general Worasat Apaipong estimated that flood victims would accumulate about 1.45 million tonnes of garbage during floods for the authorities to tackle once floodwater subsided.

"There will be damaged furniture items and electric appliances to tackle," he said.

-- The Nation 2011-11-03

[Moruya]

Don't underestimate the risk to save face.

Plan for it because if it hits, the floods will look like a summer holiday.

[cloudhopper]

'Disease Control Department (DCD) director general Porntep Siriwanarangsun yesterday assured the public that although incidences of communicable diseases were detected during the ongoing flood crisis, they did not pose a serious threat.'

Yet another patronizing reassurance by an incompetent official. This guy has no idea what's coming.

[londonthai]

" "There are places on the outskirts of Bangkok and in other parts of the country which have been flooded for nearly two weeks," he was quoted as speaking."

some places, including towns, are flooded since july, 2 weeks is not yet that much

[Maverell]

There is little risk to the public health because the government says so.

Thats that.

What a joke !

[whybother]

'Disease Control Department (DCD) director general Porntep Siriwanarangsun yesterday assured the public that although incidences of communicable diseases were detected during the ongoing flood crisis, they did not pose a serious threat.'

Yet another patronizing reassurance by an incompetent official. This guy has no idea what's coming.

The only thing that you can read from the part you quoted is "Panic. Everyone for themselves. We don't know what to do."

[noitom]

Wow! This guy's comments are really suspect. This disease crisis is worse than previous speculation. The sheer numbers and common sense and basic knowledge about what's happening through videos and news reports illustrate that the comments made in this article by the head of the health initiative in Thailand should be examined immediately for veracity, accuracy, and methodology. His responses were so glib and inconsequential that the whole issue of the cases and potential spread of all these diseases referenced in the article should be attended to immediately by on the ground world health officials. Every comment that he made raises big questions, and every statement should be verified and run down carefully.

In crisis situations, rarely can you see such a lack of specifics, best practices, and little concern about anything of such a scale. He's handling everything, it's all under control, they are monitoring all the situations, cases so far are being "dismissed" on the basis that they are supposedly confined to specific groups. Where is the investigative journalism? The press should pin this guy down. Raise the specter of concern to the outside world and Thai citizens. Report the truth. Don't take this posturing by government officials and business spokespeople influenced by economic damage control as the truth. "Only one case of Cholera so far in Prawet, but we have put disease control measures in place." What measures? "There will be no outbreak of Cholera." How does he know this? The disease exposure and fallout in Thailand is of monumental scale and action should be clarified and acted upon immediately. The press should play a key role to smoke out the truth and examine these glib statements and remarks. The dismissing of cases as being under control is preposterous. What control? What resources? Where? What's the plan? Common Thai press, let's get with the program. Your landsmen's lives are at stake and the lives of others exposed to these risks. Electrocutions, Cholera, Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dengue, Malaria and others such as "mere" common diarrhea, conjunctivitis, and colds is most of what he has seen. Do you believe this guy and the reporter who did this interview?

[sirchai]

There is little risk to the public health because the government says so.

Thats that.

What a joke !

Nobody has to be a doctor to understand that this will cause many more deaths. Not talking about the circumstances people have to live in. It's really sad. Most people can't just go to a proper hospital and the diagnoses isn't always right.

Even here in the lower north east are things pretty bad for the poor people. The rich get away.....

[onomataho]

There is little risk to the public health because the government says so.

Thats that. What a joke !

Nope, it's because The Nation says the government says so...big difference.

What about Dengue Fever? It's already been declared an epidemic. Logic would deduce it will become worse?

[msg362]

There is little risk to the public health because the government says so.

Thats that.

What a joke !

Seconded ,the guy is off his trolley! He contradicts himself. no risk but 10,000 people will get infected? and no risk of water borne diseases?, where do they get these guys from?

[chrisinth]

Wow! This guy's comments are really suspect. This disease crisis is worse than previous speculation. The sheer numbers and common sense and basic knowledge about what's happening through videos and news reports illustrate that the comments made in this article by the head of the health initiative in Thailand should be examined immediately for veracity, accuracy, and methodology. His responses were so glib and inconsequential that the whole issue of the cases and potential spread of all these diseases referenced in the article should be attended to immediately by on the ground world health officials. Every comment that he made raises big questions, and every statement should be verified and run down carefully.

In crisis situations, rarely can you see such a lack of specifics, best practices, and little concern about anything of such a scale. He's handling everything, it's all under control, they are monitoring all the situations, cases so far are being "dismissed" on the basis that they are supposedly confined to specific groups. Where is the investigative journalism? The press should pin this guy down. Raise the specter of concern to the outside world and Thai citizens. Report the truth. Don't take this posturing by government officials and business spokespeople influenced by economic damage control as the truth. "Only one case of Cholera so far in Prawet, but we have put disease control measures in place." What measures? "There will be no outbreak of Cholera." How does he know this? The disease exposure and fallout in Thailand is of monumental scale and action should be clarified and acted upon immediately. The press should play a key role to smoke out the truth and examine these glib statements and remarks. The dismissing of cases as being under control is preposterous. What control? What resources? Where? What's the plan? Common Thai press, let's get with the program. Your landsmen's lives are at stake and the lives of others exposed to these risks. Electrocutions, Cholera, Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dengue, Malaria and others such as "mere" common diarrhea, conjunctivitis, and colds is most of what he has seen. Do you believe this guy and the reporter who did this interview?

I agree with all the above. This is a case of the government (or sections of it) playing down the situation to stop the panic. The problem with this approach is that it lulls the masses into a false sense of security because they have been told that it is not going to happen or the cases when they appear will be minimal.

His explaination of the couple of cases of Leptospirosis that have been reported in the Nakon Suwan area that they were not caused by the floods but by people returning to their farms should be an indication that the risks will be increased as the water levels drop when the vermin come back to play.

[skorchio]

The whole idea behind his commentary is to avoid fear. But anyone with a simple understanding of the situation needs to be fearful. There are millions of ppl using the flood waters as a toilet. The longer this goes on the greater the risk of that water becoming extremely hazardous. If it gets to a critical stage, there maybe be rampant and uncontrolable spread of water-borne disease such as dysentry.

[svenivan]

""Rats won't run around when floodwater is high. But once floodwater subsides, people must quickly dispose of garbage or else rats will show up and spread the disease," Pornthep said."

So where are the rats now? Safe up in the North or in Esaan? And then they come back when the water subsides?

This can only happen in Thailand!

What the government should do is to give everyone in the floodhit areas a free ticket with bus to relatives in areas with no flooding, up to the North or Esaan. Specially children and their mothers and older people.

[Ricardo]

Isn't it a little early, to be declaring that there is no public-health risk, from the current floods ? Amazing Thailand !

[EvilDrSomkid]

This is criminal! Just shocking to see this very real scenario of massive disease outbreak ignored.

Just like when our dear PM said: No flood in BKK. We are safe. Yeah right.

Have they not seen all the kids jumping around and playing in the filth?

They WILL get sick.

This man should be made to swim in the filth and rub his face when he gets wet.

Insane

[doggie888888]

Is there a Thai equivalent of "better safe than sorry" or even "prevention is better than cure"?

[FNQ]

"comment; People must quickly dispose of garbage,or else the rats will show up and spread the disease"

Has a "post flood plan" been issued to advise the people about how to be ready for garbage collection and how it is going to be implented,

or am I putting the dumster before the horse ?

[SICHONSTEVE]

There is little risk to the public health because the government says so.

Thats that.

What a joke !

Why is this government aways in self-denial mode, insisting that this is OK and under control and that is not a problem (because we don't want it to be). The sooner it reaises the implications of what is going on and "gets it's head out of the sand" the better.

If a problem exists you cannot simply "wish it away" as the "powers of nature" are a darned sight stronger than praying that something will magically disappear!!!

Surely, this government spokesman (probably her cousin or an old school friend of Thaksin) needs to listen to more experienced people that have attended many flood disasters throughout the globe as I think it is pretty obvious that they (health agencies) know more about the associated problems relating to disease management, than this........whatever he is (I couldn't find out anything about him when 'Googling' his name) which rather signals his insignificance in the general scheme of things, don't you think???

They would be better served to face up to reality and listen to others more knowledgable than themselves (approximates to about 7 billion people minus those under the age of 2) and perhaps they can work themselves out of this unco-ordinated mess and make some positive progress!!!:jap:.

For the sake of the Thai people - enlist the help of others kind enough to offer their much needed help and expertise and STOP trying to run the show as Thaksin thinks best - because it isn't best and is only making this tragedy worse than it need be!!!

The only glimmer of hope is that it might, just might mind you, make the people realise the errors of their ways in electing this "pathetic joke of a government" and somehow turf them out at the first opportune moment and do us all a favour in the process as they have badly flunked their probationary period in every conceivable way imaginable!!.

[wayned]

Isn't that the same government that said that Bangkok wasn't going to flood? No matter how much the politicians move their mouths and wave their hands they can't reverse the basic laws of physics. The elevation of the water is higher in the north than the elevation of the Gulf of Thailand and , unless they can reverse the laws of Physics, they can't make water flow uphill. Unfortunately along with the long term exposure to the water comes disease, it can't be avoided, only reduced by proper treatment. Since they are already saying it isn't going to be a problem why should they think about preventing it?

[janverbeem]

Thailand,the hub of denial.

[GeorgeO]

We have heard others talking about their "confidence" that Bangkok will remain largely unaffected by the floods, and now this person is suggesting that he remains "confident" that there is no associated health risk.

There is nothing quite so dangerous as misplaced confidence. And indeed, what will happen to this person when thousands of people are severely stricken by these various diseases ...? ....Nothing!

[noitom]

There is little risk to the public health because the government says so.

Thats that.

What a joke !

Why is this government aways in self-denial mode, insisting that this is OK and under control and that is not a problem (because we don't want it to be). The sooner it reaises the implications of what is going on and "gets it's head out of the sand" the better.

If a problem exists you cannot simply "wish it away" as the "powers of nature" are a darned sight stronger than praying that something will magically disappear!!!

Surely, this government spokesman (probably her cousin or an old school friend of Thaksin) needs to listen to more experienced people that have attended many flood disasters throughout the globe as I think it is pretty obvious that they (health agencies) know more about the associated problems relating to disease management, than this........whatever he is (I couldn't find out anything about him when 'Googling' his name) which rather signals his insignificance in the general scheme of things, don't you think???

They would be better served to face up to reality and listen to others more knowledgable than themselves (approximates to about 7 billion people minus those under the age of 2) and perhaps they can work themselves out of this unco-ordinated mess and make some positive progress!!!:jap:.

For the sake of the Thai people - enlist the help of others kind enough to offer their much needed help and expertise and STOP trying to run the show as Thaksin thinks best - because it isn't best and is only making this tragedy worse than it need be!!!

The only glimmer of hope is that it might, just might mind you, make the people realise the errors of their ways in electing this "pathetic joke of a government" and somehow turf them out at the first opportune moment and do us all a favour in the process as they have badly flunked their probationary period in every conceivable way imaginable!!.

Ahhh. Reality or the lack of it. Thainess. It's not just this government. They are but a fall guy for decades of water and basic mismanagement. Take a look at the video of the 1942 flood. They have had almost 80 years to carve out more canals so as to protect the money center in Bangkok and ignore the plight of the population. It's many governments and power elite still outranking the population and keeping them more or less in a feudal state and cultivating "Thai culture" - Thainess. Seeing things as they want them to be rather than the way that they really are. Total self absorbtion, denial, and ego filled false sense of grandeur and pompous arrogance.

[Jayman]

Is there a Thai equivalent of "better safe than sorry" or even "prevention is better than cure"?

I think what's popular is "som nom na"

[aidon]

WOW - all the experts on these forums!

[SICHONSTEVE]

Isn't that the same government that said that Bangkok wasn't going to flood? No matter how much the politicians move their mouths and wave their hands they can't reverse the basic laws of physics. The elevation of the water is higher in the north than the elevation of the Gulf of Thailand and , unless they can reverse the laws of Physics, they can't make water flow uphill. Unfortunately along with the long term exposure to the water comes disease, it can't be avoided, only reduced by proper treatment. Since they are already saying it isn't going to be a problem why should they think about preventing it?

I happen to think that many of "the brain-washed" actually think that Thaksin CAN "defy the laws of Physics" after all he can "walk on water" so why not make it "flow up stream" - easy peasy for him ..

They have a ready made answer as to why he didn't do this - just why would he want to send the water back up to the North when all his "believers" live there and a majority of his "detractors" live in the capital???

Convinced???? No!!!!! then I predict that you don't live in the North!! am i right??? What, you do!! ohhhhh dear!!!!!!!!!!

[BlackJack]

Thais are reactive and not proactive

live with it

[SICHONSTEVE]

There is little risk to the public health because the government says so.

Thats that.

What a joke !

Why is this government aways in self-denial mode, insisting that this is OK and under control and that is not a problem (because we don't want it to be). The sooner it reaises the implications of what is going on and "gets it's head out of the sand" the better.

If a problem exists you cannot simply "wish it away" as the "powers of nature" are a darned sight stronger than praying that something will magically disappear!!!

Surely, this government spokesman (probably her cousin or an old school friend of Thaksin) needs to listen to more experienced people that have attended many flood disasters throughout the globe as I think it is pretty obvious that they (health agencies) know more about the associated problems relating to disease management, than this........whatever he is (I couldn't find out anything about him when 'Googling' his name) which rather signals his insignificance in the general scheme of things, don't you think???

They would be better served to face up to reality and listen to others more knowledgable than themselves (approximates to about 7 billion people minus those under the age of 2) and perhaps they can work themselves out of this unco-ordinated mess and make some positive progress!!!:jap:.

For the sake of the Thai people - enlist the help of others kind enough to offer their much needed help and expertise and STOP trying to run the show as Thaksin thinks best - because it isn't best and is only making this tragedy worse than it need be!!!

The only glimmer of hope is that it might, just might mind you, make the people realise the errors of their ways in electing this "pathetic joke of a government" and somehow turf them out at the first opportune moment and do us all a favour in the process as they have badly flunked their probationary period in every conceivable way imaginable!!.

Ahhh. Reality or the lack of it. Thainess. It's not just this government. They are but a fall guy for decades of water and basic mismanagement. Take a look at the video of the 1942 flood. They have had almost 80 years to carve out more canals so as to protect the money center in Bangkok and ignore the plight of the population. It's many governments and power elite still outranking the population and keeping them more or less in a feudal state and cultivating "Thai culture" - Thainess. Seeing things as they want them to be rather than the way that they really are. Total self absorbtion, denial, and ego filled false sense of grandeur and pompous arrogance.

Years of apathy, mismanagement and corrupt practises are chiefy responsible for the probems being as bad as they are now, agreed.

You have to admit that they have TOTALLY cocked up at every juncture with their feeble, disjointed and inadequate response to the disaster though!!!! It would help if they were all "singing from the same hymn sheet" but they all have different books.

I think that one of our classrooms of 3 year olds would have done a better job of handling the situation than this pathetic and ramshackle response!!!!

[fred110]

Hitchhikers Guide to Thailand - Don't Panic!

[KeyserSoze01]

Hitchhikers Guide to Thailand - Don't Panic!

And don't forget your towel. You'll be needing it.

[Logarhythm]

The similarities to George W Bush's now infamous, "Mission Accomplished",speech aboard the USS Lincoln are frightening. Talk about premature gloating.