Thailand: Health Ministry Warns Against Bird Flu

[webfact]

Ministry warns against bird flu

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry yesterday instructed health officials nationwide to keep an eye out for birdflu infections among humans.

This move follows a report that more than 150,000 chickens in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang were culled due to an outbreak of bird flu.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri said members of the public should report to health volunteers or livestock officials immediately if they find any suspicious deaths among birds in their area.

Disease Control Department's deputy director Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingchareon said symptoms that a bird might be infected include diarrhoea, bluish purple cockscomb, a loss of appetite, softshelled eggs and a drop in egg production.

-- The Nation 2012-07-05

[Curt1591]

And we're off!

[animatic]

Well better they are talking about it, than another cover up like 10 years ago.

[fareastguy]

Nice words from public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasirin, trying to show the world total transparency, but I can't imagine a Thai food health official or even less a local chicken farmer quickly volunteering information that they have an outbreak, it would destroy the chicken industry & Thailands so coveted reputation.

I think it would be a "spade job" in the corner of the farm & a "didn't see anything wrong officer" !!

As for any human ill-health, infection or death it would probably be very quickly identified as natural causes, which in Thailand could be one of hundreds.

[MEL1]

Health Minister Witthaya Buranasirin doesn't look too well, does he?

Fever, headache, tiredness.... I wonder if he ate 'gai' whilst visiting the so called egg infected areas of puying BKK?

-mel.

[dressedingreen]

Health Minister Witthaya Buranasirin doesn't look too well, does he?

Fever, headache, tiredness.... I wonder if he ate 'gai' whilst visiting the so called egg infected areas of puying BKK?

-mel.

I agree! This man is not a good advert for public health. Certainly, I'd want him checked over before letting him near any livestock.

DIG

[Mosha]

Well better they are talking about it, than another cover up like 10 years ago.

Chicken Cholic? I forget his name. It started with T I think

[bigbamboo]

Nothing to worry about yet. If it gets to be a real problem send for Chalerm and he'll have it eradicated in 90 days, even if he has to shoot every bird himself.

[hellodolly]

Well judging by some of the stuff coming out of the various ministers mouths lately I would take that as a indication of Ain't going to happen in Thailand.

[MEL1]

Nothing to worry about yet. If it gets to be a real problem send for Chalerm and he'll have it eradicated in 90 days, even if he has to shoot every bird himself.

dam_n it, eradicating on chewing birds was a Chuwit thingy-ma-jig. I hope Chalerm doesn't shoot all of Chuwit's birds, as some were tasty.... and never gave a night fever. However, Chuwit's adverts against pigs, and swine-yoo-fool-flu is on the right track, isn't it? A tissue, a tissue, we all fell down, said dek Chalerm..... the gun with no name.

-mel.

[Moruya]

Dear Mister Bird Flu,

We would like to warn you in the strongest possible terms not to come to Thailand. If you do we will unleash the hideous Chalerm and if that fails we have a revolting red mob.

[Buchholz]

Public Health Ministry orders 4 million Tamiflu in case of bird flu outbreak

BANGKOK, 6 July 2012 (NNT)-The Ministry of Public Health has reaffirmed that no outbreak of avian flu has been detected in Thailand, but to play it safe the ministry has ordered millions of doses of antiviral drugs of Tamiflu in case of emergency.

According to Department of Disease Control Director-General Dr. Pornthep Sririwanarangsan, the stocking up on Tamiflu is necessary because not only has the avian flu outbreak been reported in China, but also in Mexico.

Dr. Pornthep said even though Thailand has been free of such flu since 2007, the Ministry of Public Health is taking no chances. It has instructed public health volunteers across the country to monitor the poultry situation and notify authorities if the animals’ deaths are suspected to have been caused by H1N1.

He claimed that no dead poultry in Thailand have been found infected by the avian flu so far. He assured the public that since Thailand is an exporter of poultry, it is unlikely for the avian flu to enter the country.

However, 4 million Tamiflu tablets will be obtained to make sure people receive the medication immediately should they develop the H1N1 symptoms. Moreover, the quarantine zones along the Thai border have also been told to be extra cautious about all the birds imported into the country.

-- NNT 2012-07-06

[Thai at Heart]

Public Health Ministry orders 4 million Tamiflu in case of bird flu outbreak

BANGKOK, 6 July 2012 (NNT)-The Ministry of Public Health has reaffirmed that no outbreak of avian flu has been detected in Thailand, but to play it safe the ministry has ordered millions of doses of antiviral drugs of Tamiflu in case of emergenc

y.

According to Department of Disease Control Director-General Dr. Pornthep Sririwanarangsan, the stocking up on Tamiflu is necessary because not only has the avian flu outbreak been reported in China, but also in Mexico.

Dr. Pornthep said even though Thailand has been free of such flu since 2007, the Ministry of Public Health is taking no chances. It has instructed public health volunteers across the country to monitor the poultry situation and notify authorities if the animals’ deaths are suspected to have been caused by H1N1.

He claimed that no dead poultry in Thailand have been found infected by the avian flu so far. He assured the public that since Thailand is an exporter of poultry, it is unlikely for the avian flu to enter the country.

However, 4 million Tamiflu tablets will be obtained to make sure people receive the medication immediately should they develop the H1N1 symptoms. Moreover, the quarantine zones along the Thai border have also been told to be extra cautious about all the birds imported into the country.

-- NNT 2012-07-06

Ahhhhh. Well that makes the warning even more worthwhile. Even if it den doesn't develop into a pandemic at least we got paid. beyond that i suppose this means that the upcoming outbreak is a forgone conclusion so Thailand can kiss its fresh export business Tul to Europe goodbye for another few years.

or did he order all this vaccine for nothing?

[Buchholz]

Public Health Ministry orders 4 million Tamiflu in case of bird flu outbreak

BANGKOK, 6 July 2012 (NNT)-The Ministry of Public Health has reaffirmed that no outbreak of avian flu has been detected in Thailand, but to play it safe the ministry has ordered millions of doses of antiviral drugs of Tamiflu in case of emergenc

y.

According to Department of Disease Control Director-General Dr. Pornthep Sririwanarangsan, the stocking up on Tamiflu is necessary because not only has the avian flu outbreak been reported in China, but also in Mexico.

Dr. Pornthep said even though Thailand has been free of such flu since 2007, the Ministry of Public Health is taking no chances. It has instructed public health volunteers across the country to monitor the poultry situation and notify authorities if the animals' deaths are suspected to have been caused by H1N1.

He claimed that no dead poultry in Thailand have been found infected by the avian flu so far. He assured the public that since Thailand is an exporter of poultry, it is unlikely for the avian flu to enter the country.

However, 4 million Tamiflu tablets will be obtained to make sure people receive the medication immediately should they develop the H1N1 symptoms. Moreover, the quarantine zones along the Thai border have also been told to be extra cautious about all the birds imported into the country.

-- NNT 2012-07-06

Ahhhhh. Well that makes the warning even more worthwhile. Even if it den doesn't develop into a pandemic at least we got paid. beyond that i suppose this means that the upcoming outbreak is a forgone conclusion so Thailand can kiss its fresh export business Tul to Europe goodbye for another few years.

or did he order all this vaccine for nothing?

It wasn't nothing.

I don't know what government bulk order cost is, but Tamiflu online is around US$10 for one pill and four million pills ordered is gonna cost a bunch however it is ordered.

.

.