Ebola outbreak in Thailand 'very unlikely'

[webfact]

Ebola Outbreak in Thailand 'Very Unlikely'
By Khaosod English


Microscopic image of Ebola virus (Wikipedia file photo)

BANGKOK - A public health official has assured the Thai public that an outbreak of Ebola virus in Thailand is extremely unlikely.

"We have estimated that the risk of an outbreak in Thailand is very minimal," said Sophon Mekthon, director of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), "However, we are not letting our guard down. We have implimented many measures to control and prevent the disease."

More than 800 people have been killed in the latest Ebola epidemic in four African nations, while 1,600 more are reportedly infected.

The outbreak led to concerns that Ebola-inflicted individuals may arrive in Thailand and spread the disease beyond the African continent, but Mr. Sophon said today that the authorities are closely monitoring all arrivals from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria at all major airports in Thailand to look for any potential patient.

"We check their body temperatures, and when they leave the affected areas. If they left more than 21 days ago, they are considered safe," Mr. Sophon said. Those who left the area less than 21 days before they arrived in Thailand would undergo elaborate medical checkup, he said.

According to Mr. Sophon, 341 people have arrived in Thailand since the observation was put in place on 8 June, and not a single potential Ebola carrier has been found. He also insisted that the Thai public health officials have equipment and technology that are up to international standard to detect and quarantine any Ebola cases.

Although the ongoing Ebola outbreak has been confined to the four African nations, some Thais have already started profiting from the Ebola scare in the Kingdom. A number of online shops are selling aloe medicine that is claimed to make human bodies immune to Ebola.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1407321062


-- Khaosod English 2014-08-06

[Lingba]

"extremely unlikely in Thailand"....famous last words

[DrLom]

"Although the ongoing Ebola outbreak has been confined to the four African nations, some Thais have already started profiting from the Ebola scare in the Kingdom. A number of online shops are selling aloe medicine that is claimed to make human bodies immune to Ebola."

Absolute rubbish. I have chilies mixed with lemon juice for sale, which is the ultimate cure - yes, it cures Ebola virus. 1Ltr only 2,000 baht. Aloe vera does nothing.. only my cure.... only 2,000 baht 1 Ltr.... come quickly, as stocks are running out.

[Pib]

Those who left the area less than 21 days before they arrived in Thailand would undergo elaborate medical checkup, he said.

Sure...I'm sure tourists will run to the nearest hospital for an elaborate medical checkup just as soon as they clear customs.

[zydeco]

I remember when authorities promised there would be no significant flooding in Bangkok in 2011. They promised.

[Tokay]

According to the Bangkok Post just a little while ago, there are now 21 people in Bangkok who are being tested and monitored for Ebola.

Khaosod = FAIL

That said, considering how the Gov covered up the real Swine Flu numbers, don't expect the truth about Ebola in Thailand, should there be an actual cases.

[DrLom]

I remember when authorities promised there would be no significant flooding in Bangkok in 2011. They promised.

I remember when they said no flooding in Ayutthaya nor Phatumtani too....... unlikely, they said, as they opened the dams upstream.

[ChrisY1]

It probably seems very unfair, but West African tourists need particular screening...before flying.....!

The Ebola epidemic in Wset Africa, as noted by Medicins Sans Frontieres, is now out of control...that's serious!

Not so long ago Foot and Mouth emerged in Thailand....and now claiming lives here....

The so called experts that talk of it being "highly unlikely to affect Thailand"....is complete rubbish....it can emerge everywhere and anywhere.

[BigBadGeordie]

Thailand "experts",!!!!! Those <deleted> who know nothing at the WHO, have a slightly different opinion, but then again they don't understand "Thainess"

[Emster23]

So let's say they find someone with fever and develops later into Ebola. Let's say that person coughed etc on flight here. Would not all the other passengers within cough range also be potential carriers and victims? Would they quarantine everyone on plane if found one possible positive?

[ParadiseLost]

"Although the ongoing Ebola outbreak has been confined to the four African nations, some Thais have already started profiting from the Ebola scare in the Kingdom. A number of online shops are selling aloe medicine that is claimed to make human bodies immune to Ebola."

Absolute rubbish. I have chilies mixed with lemon juice for sale, which is the ultimate cure - yes, it cures Ebola virus. 1Ltr only 2,000 baht. Aloe vera does nothing.. only my cure.... only 2,000 baht 1 Ltr.... come quickly, as stocks are running out.

Shelves are being emptied of Tiger Balm as we speak!

[needforspeed]

Rubbish,

Me and a few other worked in Liberia and live in Thailand never ever been checked.

[Johpa]

So let's say they find someone with fever and develops later into Ebola. Let's say that person coughed etc on flight here. Would not all the other passengers within cough range also be potential carriers and victims? Would they quarantine everyone on plane if found one possible positive?

Currently the understanding is that Ebola is not caught from a sneeze or other airborne agent but rather is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids such as saliva and blood. One cultural issue in Africa that has exacerbated the spread of the virus has been "the laying of hands" on victims during funerals.

[tardelli]

They believe simply everything like a little child and they still survive in the wild angry world! interesting.

[Eddy B]

They can't control Dengue, Malaria or Hand, foot and mouth disease. How on earth are these people thinking they can monitor and control the Ebola virus if it did come knocking on their door? All it needs is one male, lets say staying in the Nana district to have unprotected sex with a sex worker................well hello to a the end of days.

[ultimate weapon]

Honestly speaking which government would say we're very likely to have this or that infectious disease. One shouldn't trust any government to tell the truth in this respect. Imagine if they said very likely for ebola to reach thailand imagine the pandemonium it would create.

[ultimate weapon]

They can't control Dengue, Malaria or Hand, foot and mouth disease. How on earth are these people thinking they can monitor and control the Ebola virus if it did come knocking on their door? All it needs is one male, lets say staying in the Nana district to have unprotected sex with a sex worker................well hello to a the end of days.

You don't seem to understand ebola. It isn't an STD. You don't even need to have sex unprotected or not. Just close proximity with someone infected with ebola. Hell there are reports of ebola being airborne or maybe there are different strains but the spread of ebola is through body fluids of an infected person in fact being close to such a person already has a very very high risk of contracting it hence you see anyone going to ebola infected areas wear hazmat suits that have 0% contact with the air outside with their own oxygen tank supply i believe.

[Thai at Heart]

They can't control Dengue, Malaria or Hand, foot and mouth disease. How on earth are these people thinking they can monitor and control the Ebola virus if it did come knocking on their door? All it needs is one male, lets say staying in the Nana district to have unprotected sex with a sex worker................well hello to a the end of days.

You don't seem to understand ebola. It isn't an STD. You don't even need to have sex unprotected or not. Just close proximity with someone infected with ebola. Hell there are reports of ebola being airborne or maybe there are different strains but the spread of ebola is through body fluids of an infected person in fact being close to such a person already has a very very high risk of contracting it hence you see anyone going to ebola infected areas wear hazmat suits that have 0% contact with the air outside with their own oxygen tank supply i believe.

The issue is that unless someone is incredibly sick with it, the viral load is supposedly low. Once someone is sick with it, they are incapable of getting on a plane supposedly.

That said, I would not want to be near anyone in close proximity who had Ebola coughing and spluttering on a plane.

[ultimate weapon]

They can't control Dengue, Malaria or Hand, foot and mouth disease. How on earth are these people thinking they can monitor and control the Ebola virus if it did come knocking on their door? All it needs is one male, lets say staying in the Nana district to have unprotected sex with a sex worker................well hello to a the end of days.

You don't seem to understand ebola. It isn't an STD. You don't even need to have sex unprotected or not. Just close proximity with someone infected with ebola. Hell there are reports of ebola being airborne or maybe there are different strains but the spread of ebola is through body fluids of an infected person in fact being close to such a person already has a very very high risk of contracting it hence you see anyone going to ebola infected areas wear hazmat suits that have 0% contact with the air outside with their own oxygen tank supply i believe.

The issue is that unless someone is incredibly sick with it, the viral load is supposedly low. Once someone is sick with it, they are incapable of getting on a plane supposedly.

That said, I would not want to be near anyone in close proximity who had Ebola coughing and spluttering on a plane.

I think you didn't read of this woman flying in from west africa to the UK who was really sick on a plane and she died while on the plane. So she managed to reach her destination.

Edited August 6, 2014 by ultimate weapon

[Thai at Heart]

They can't control Dengue, Malaria or Hand, foot and mouth disease. How on earth are these people thinking they can monitor and control the Ebola virus if it did come knocking on their door? All it needs is one male, lets say staying in the Nana district to have unprotected sex with a sex worker................well hello to a the end of days.

You don't seem to understand ebola. It isn't an STD. You don't even need to have sex unprotected or not. Just close proximity with someone infected with ebola. Hell there are reports of ebola being airborne or maybe there are different strains but the spread of ebola is through body fluids of an infected person in fact being close to such a person already has a very very high risk of contracting it hence you see anyone going to ebola infected areas wear hazmat suits that have 0% contact with the air outside with their own oxygen tank supply i believe.

The issue is that unless someone is incredibly sick with it, the viral load is supposedly low. Once someone is sick with it, they are incapable of getting on a plane supposedly.

That said, I would not want to be near anyone in close proximity who had Ebola coughing and spluttering on a plane.

I think you didn't read of this woman flying in from west africa to the UK who was really sick on a plane and she died while on the plane. So she managed to reach her destination.

That is as I said, supposedly. I don't think the issue is whether its truly airborne. Close proximity is enough.

[JohnThailandJohn]

They can't control Dengue, Malaria or Hand, foot and mouth disease. How on earth are these people thinking they can monitor and control the Ebola virus if it did come knocking on their door? All it needs is one male, lets say staying in the Nana district to have unprotected sex with a sex worker................well hello to a the end of days.

Ebola spreads in very similar ways to HIV. However, Ebola patients are only contagious when they show symptoms like fever,vomiting and diarrhea. Not sure any of these qualities are what John or Working girls are looking for in a partner. However Ebola appears to be stronger in terms of transmission, at least by what they tell us. While HIV is not really believed to be spread through things like sweat and saliva, they say Ebola can be.

Most of the people who are at risk of getting Ebola from somebody else are caregivers (family, doctor, nurse ...).

Edited August 6, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[JohnThailandJohn]

Since the Ebola outbreak, early this year, 800 people have died from Ebola. In that same period about 300,000 people have died from Malaria and another 600,000 from Tuberculosis .... and probably 5,000 Motorcycle riders just in Bangkok.

Edited August 6, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[Thai at Heart]

They can't control Dengue, Malaria or Hand, foot and mouth disease. How on earth are these people thinking they can monitor and control the Ebola virus if it did come knocking on their door? All it needs is one male, lets say staying in the Nana district to have unprotected sex with a sex worker................well hello to a the end of days.

Ebola spreads in very similar ways to HIV. However, Ebola patients are only contagious when they show symptoms like fever,vomiting and diarrhea. Not sure any of these qualities are what John or Working girls are looking for in a partner. However Ebola appears to be stronger in terms of transmission, at least by what they tell us. While HIV is not really believed to be spread through things like sweat and saliva, they say Ebola can be.

Most of the people who are at risk of getting Ebola from somebody else are caregivers (family, doctor, nurse ...).

I posted a link yesterday that at its height the virus is even detectable in skin swabs, tears and saliva.

So, it is infinitely more infectious than HIV. The theory is that people have to be incredibly sick with the virus to really pose a threat. That is the theory that is being put to the test.

Let's hope it doesn't get out and into a group of people who just went through an airport.

[JohnThailandJohn]

http://www.vox.com/2014/8/6/5971675/where-ebola-outbreak-will-go-next-africa

[JohnThailandJohn]

They can't control Dengue, Malaria or Hand, foot and mouth disease. How on earth are these people thinking they can monitor and control the Ebola virus if it did come knocking on their door? All it needs is one male, lets say staying in the Nana district to have unprotected sex with a sex worker................well hello to a the end of days.

Ebola spreads in very similar ways to HIV. However, Ebola patients are only contagious when they show symptoms like fever,vomiting and diarrhea. Not sure any of these qualities are what John or Working girls are looking for in a partner. However Ebola appears to be stronger in terms of transmission, at least by what they tell us. While HIV is not really believed to be spread through things like sweat and saliva, they say Ebola can be.

Most of the people who are at risk of getting Ebola from somebody else are caregivers (family, doctor, nurse ...).

I posted a link yesterday that at its height the virus is even detectable in skin swabs, tears and saliva.

So, it is infinitely more infectious than HIV. The theory is that people have to be incredibly sick with the virus to really pose a threat. That is the theory that is being put to the test.

Let's hope it doesn't get out and into a group of people who just went through an airport.

I believe you will find that HIV can also be detected in these body fluids but not in sufficient amounts to be transmitted. I am not even sure they know if Ebola is or has ever been transmitted through things like tears or saliva. And it certainly IS NOT infinitely more infectious than HIV. Simply logic of number of HIV related cases and/or deaths compared to Ebola should tell you this. You not only need direct body fluid contact with an Ebola patient but the Ebola patient is only contagious for a short time while they have symptoms that generally prevent or discourage people from mixing with the public.

[Somtamnication]

Very unlikely we will have a coup!

[ldnguy]

It probably seems very unfair, but West African tourists need particular screening...before flying.....!

The Ebola epidemic in Wset Africa, as noted by Medicins Sans Frontieres, is now out of control...that's serious!

Not so long ago Foot and Mouth emerged in Thailand....and now claiming lives here....

The so called experts that talk of it being "highly unlikely to affect Thailand"....is complete rubbish....it can emerge everywhere and anywhere.

Wrong. People who have visited West African countries that have Ebola need extra screening, not just West Africans. Your testing would miss an American who had visited an Ebola country before coming to Thailand.

[ldnguy]

Since the Ebola outbreak, early this year, 800 people have died from Ebola. In that same period about 300,000 people have died from Malaria and another 600,000 from Tuberculosis .... and probably 5,000 Motorcycle riders just in Bangkok.

And lots more from heart disease, cancer, etc. People always worry about the wrong thing. Sit around smoking, drinking, eating junk food and discussing the dangers of Ebola. Laughable.

[JohnThailandJohn]

It probably seems very unfair, but West African tourists need particular screening...before flying.....!

The Ebola epidemic in Wset Africa, as noted by Medicins Sans Frontieres, is now out of control...that's serious!

Not so long ago Foot and Mouth emerged in Thailand....and now claiming lives here....

The so called experts that talk of it being "highly unlikely to affect Thailand"....is complete rubbish....it can emerge everywhere and anywhere.

There has never been a recorded case of anyone dying in any country in the World from Ebola outside of a few poor African nations.

The Flu becomes out of control every year too as well as HIV and mosquito bites. If these things were under control nobody else would be effected. Yes, serious but sky is falling serious, not at all.

Edited August 7, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[shirtless]

We can all rest easy no Ebola here , The Government is our protector.