THAILAND [Nakhon Ratchasima] - 30 Quarantined w/ Flu Symptoms

[Sharpe]

Very concerning report, especially about the people being quarantined... :( I've sent all three of today's articles about Thailand to Promed.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/14Jul2006_news16.php
Chachoengsao hit by avian flu scare

Unknown causes leave hundreds of birds dead

POST REPORTERS

The mysterious deaths of birds in Chachoengsao's Bang Khla district and some provinces in the Northeast have triggered another avian influenza scare. Hundreds of birds, including poultry, have died from unknown causes in the eastern province of Chachoengsao over the past week.

The provincial livestock office sent some bird carcasses for laboratory tests and is awaiting the results.

But Wiroj Prayoonwiwat of the provincial livestock office said he did not think the bird flu virus was the cause of the deaths. Birds such as doves usually carry some natural diseases which can kill them during the rainy season.

However, the office has sprayed disinfectant in the area to contain any possible spread of disease as a precaution, he said.

Pradit Kraisorn, head of the tambon administration organisation of Hua Sai in Bang Khla district, said hundreds of doves at the Wat Mai Kumorn community, which usually perched on the roofs of the temple and on villagers' houses, had dropped dead. Some locals' chickens had also fallen ill and died.

Thanakorn Huadsakul, 58, a bus driver at the Ratchanakharin Rajabhat University's Bang Khla campus, said birds had just plunged headfirst into the ground and died. It seemed as if they lacked the physical strength to fly, he said. [[classic!]]

In Nakhon Ratchasima, 30 patients with flu-like symptoms have been put in quarantine, while fowls have died mysteriously in nine tambons in the province.
[[[[This is the province I was talking about where 4 children died of a mystery illness that they attributed to Enterovirus71]]]]

Birds, including poultry, have also been found dead in 13 tambons in Chaiyaphum, one tambon in Surin, nine tambons in Yasothon, and one tambon each in Roi Et, Si Sa Ket and Amnat Charoen.

The latest laboratory results confirmed that the deaths in most of the areas were not caused by bird flu.

Only the test results for one tambon in Surin and one tambon in Yasothon had yet to be released.

Poultry in the affected areas were culled and disinfectant was sprayed.

Meanwhile, Bangkok will host the first international training course on rapid responses to outbreaks of respiratory pathogens, including avian influenza and pandemic influenza.

More than 100 officials from 14 countries will attend the course from July 17 to 21 to get hands-on training in what to do in the first 72 hours after receiving reports of an outbreak among people.

The course is a collaborative effort between the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organisation, and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy's public health sector.

[sharon sanders]

Sharpe - How reliable is the Post? Are there any other media reporting this?

[JetStuuby]

Hmmmmmm....when you consider today's post along with this gem, http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=114
it appears there are a lot of sick chickens in Thailand :(

[Sharpe]

Hmmmmmm....when you consider today's post along with this gem, http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=114
it appears there are a lot of sick chickens in Thailand :(

Interesting article JetStuuby. Is history repeating itself yet again in Thailand?

[Sharpe]

Sharpe- How reliable is the Post? Are there any other media reporting this?

My experience with reading their reports for the last year has been quite good. They do a lot of research, often finding out things long before the rest of the media finds out. I suspect that it will be a few more days before we hear from other media sources.

[Theresa42]

Sharpe- How reliable is the Post? Are there any other media reporting this?The Bangkok Post is one of the major newspapers in Thailand. It's not a tabloid or anything like that, so I think this report is likely to be as reliable as it gets coming out of Thailand (or anywhere else for that matter). I would trust the Post.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Post

[sharon sanders]

I split the thread and moved the human posts to Breaking.

[Theresa42]

Here's the website to the Office of Disease Prevention and Control for the Nakhon Ratchasima region (there are about 10 to 12 of the offices located throughout the country -- this office, #5, appears to cover 4 provinces -- Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin and Chaiyaphum):
http://dpc5.ddc.moph.go.th/home.html

I can't find anything about the 30 quarantined persons in NR, but then again I (unfortunately) don't speak or read Thai so maybe I'm missing it. I've been using this machine-translator ...

http://www.thai2english.com/

... but with no luck. (It's a labor-intensive machine-translator -- if you try it you'll see what I mean! If anyone knows of a better one online, please let me/us know.)


Their bf page is here (the link is where there's a photo of people sporting the latest bf-gear) ...

http://dpc5.ddc.moph.go.th/hot/data29.html

... but the last report seems to be from the end of May.


There's also a page following 14 transmissable diseases (link below bf link) that has spreadsheets of the numbers of people sick and dying of these diseases annually and by the week ...

http://dpc5.ddc.moph.go.th/wk/wk_00.html

The last report is, like the bf update, also from the end of May ...

http://dpc5.ddc.moph.go.th/wk/wk_17_49.html


The 14 diseases listed on the spreadsheet down the left-hand column are:
1. Diptheria
2. Pneumonia ("in hospital")
3. Measles
4. "Fever head/brain inflame" (encephalitis?)
5. "Fever black/dark back bent"
6. Influenza
7. Cholera
8. HFMD
9. Dysentry
10. Hydrophobia/rabies
11. "Lep dtoht-bpai swollen seet" (?)
12. Whooping cough
13. "Fever blood go out" (?)

The five main columns across are: Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Chaiyaphum and Totals.

The subcolumns under these are: Annual: Sick -- Died; This Week: Sick -- Died.

[Laidback Al]

Nothing listed on the official English site for Thailand through July 11th. Although it is not clear what the time range is for the cumulative cases under surveillance.

FROM
http://thaigcd.ddc.moph.go.th/AI_case_report_060711.html



Avian Influenza surveillance in human
As at July 11, 2006.
Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Diseases Control, Ministry of Public Health




<HR>
I. Avian Influenza in human situation 2006

Since January 1, 2006 to July 11, 2006, the Bureau of Epidemiology has received reports of influenza or pneumonia cases in Avian Influenza Surveillance Network from the Provincial Health Offices and Disease Prevention and Control Regional Offices. The investigation and analysis were summarized as follows:

Cumulative number of patients under surveillance are 1,264 cases; 66 provinces. Today reports are 9 cases. Eight cases from Suphanburi, and 1 from Chachengsao.
Confirmed human case of avian influenza 2005 = 5, 2 death cases;
· 2 cases from Kanchanaburi with one death case,
· 1 from Nonthaburi/Bangkok Metropolis,
· 1 from Bangkok Metropolis,
· and 1 death case from Nakhonnayok.
There is no comfirmed cases in 2006. </HR>

[Sharpe]

I suspect that poultry began dying in Ratchasima first. Hence the 30 human infections. Hopefully it is not a sign of things to come in the other areas. If it is, then this strain has reached a new degree of human infectiousness. It would also not be the first time that this province has seen human bird flu victims. Below is an old report from the province. Also, if you were interested, Promed is not going to carry the reports from Thailand because the moderator said that no disease has been confirmed. -sharpe

Thailand confirms 11th human bird flu case
March 9, 2004
Associated Press
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand on Tuesday was cited as confirming its 11th human victim of bird flu, a breeder of fighting cocks who has since recovered.
The 29-year-old man, from the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, was admitted to a the hospital with pneumonia-like symptoms on Feb. 20 and discharged on Sunday. Laboratory tests received Monday confirmed he had the deadly virus, said Deputy Permanent Secretary of Public Health Thawat Sunthracharn.


(http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/)

[Theresa42]

This is a difficult-to-read (more so than usual) machine-translation from Thai (if anybody knows of a good, online Thai-English translator -- or better yet if somebody reads/speaks Thai! -- please, let me/us know.) Nevertheless, it seems pretty clear that 34 people are under observation for bf in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand....

Machine-translated from Thai:

Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) discover patient ... be vigilant ... 34 cases - Northeast ....

July 13, 2006 (2549)

News Agency Nakhon Ratchasima - Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) discover patient be vigilant bird flu 34 cases/persons. Public health orders - district survey and report circumstances understand every month area college animal science region 3 discover poultry die due to not understand cause ... northeast 7 province ... only result come out to know negative and wait result 2. Order domestic animal province mobilize staff important district be prepared spray disinfectant protect due to watch/keep an eye on district portion once occur spread bf particularly named/mentioned Korat to be spread in 9 districts.

Today, July 13, much afraid doctor public health province Nakhon Ratchasima revealed situation task spread bird flu in district province Nakhon Ratchasima ... report since month (?)-July 2549 this not find patient bf and not have any information definitely life ... however there is patient location in range watch/keep an eye on bf amount 34 cases/persons.

Nevertheless, even though will not find/discover bf patient in district province NR however office public health province not at ease receive prepare readiness of personnel public health store always especially precaution not permit to have task spread of bird flu rise with people for example task public relations permit knowledge to people in each district and can order volunteer public health regularly village (well matched) survey and report poultry die due to not known cause in district offer public health province receive understand every month.

In addition to also receive link cooperation with network multilateral among public health....

Field leader [name] temporary director college science animal and hygiene number 3 Nakhon Ratchasima where responsible district 9 province northeast section lower feature province NR, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram, Yasothon, Roi Et, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani and undefined(?) disclose even though situation bird flu in poultry that from report also not find task spread of bird flu happen in district responsible anyway.

Nevertheless there is report poultry die due to not known cause due to province NR discover poultry die due to not known cause in district 9 district and province Chaiyaphum find 13 district, province Surin find 1 district, province Yasothon find 9 district, province Roi Et find 1 district, province Sisagit(?) 1 district, and province Amnatjayrin(?) 1 district effect task check from laboratory or chamber existent negative not find virus bf there only province Surin and Yasothon like each 1 district only place still wait for result task diagnose to be in order that authority can reach spray chemicals and eradicate poultry in district 5 kilometer too much previously already.

Mister [name] make a speech blame at present farm poultry in district northeast can there is task change farm permit enter standard already nearly all there is only minor not how much case only address in among improvement but also be careless cannot because will reach period tip rainy season....

http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9490000090080&Keyword=%e4%a2%e9%cb%c7%d1%b4%b9%a1

Nakhon Ratchasima Province:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakhon_Ratchasima_Province

[hawkeye]

Potential reasoning to keep the outbreak quiet?


EU ban extension affects Thai chicken exports (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=108586)

An extended ban on fresh poultry exports to the European Union (EU) is expected to hurt Thailand's fresh chicken export prospects this year, even as the Thai government is insisting that a bird flu outbreak in the kingdom is under control.

Referring to the EU extension of its ban on fresh chicken imports from Southeast Asian countries to the end of this year, Thailand's Livestock Development Department Director-General Yukol Limlamthong said Wednesday it was due to outbreaks of bird flu still existing in several ASEAN countries.

As for Thailand, which is included in the ban, he said, it did not mean the EU lacked trust in the efficacy of the country's systems of bird flu control.

The livestock development department had notified the EU that Thailand had efficient measures to control the virus, and that accordingly no bird flu outbreak has been reported here for over 200 days, longer than the 90 days standard set by the Office International des Epizooties(OIE).

The EU stated in response that its experts will visit Thailand for inspections, but the visit has yet to be scheduled, he said.

Mr. Yukol said the EU decision to postpone lifting its ban is expected to affect Thai fresh chicken exports, which this year were targeted at 50,000 tonnes valued at Bt4.5 billion (about US$118.8 billion).

However, he said, exports of Thai cooked chicken products are still expected to reach the target of 350,000 tonnes, though at mid-year only 130,000 tonnes had already been shipped.

As part of the joint effort to control bird flu, the livestock development department and 21 companies runing about 1,800 poultry farms on Thursday will sign an agreement to develop a zoning and compartment system for raising domestic poultry, one of the measures aimed to enable poultry to be disease-free, especially from avian flu, the director-general said.

The department plans to endorse a "compartment system" for poultry farms using the scheme later this year. If the Thai measures are endorsed by EU and Japanese experts, Thailand will be able to resume its exports of fresh chicken within 2007, he said.

Meanwhile, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said the EU's extended ban on fresh poultry product imports does not affect Thailand directly as it applies to the entire region.

However, the EU gave an opportunity for countries with high standards of hygiene to demonstrate they can contain bird flu outbreaks. Thailand has invited EU experts to inspect all procedures already implemented. (TNA)

[sharon sanders]

Sharpe- Do you have one of those maps available for this?

[Sharpe]

The Thai story that Theresa translated, though not completely understandable, unfortunately appears to confirm everything that the Bangkok Post said. Worrisomely, the data is becoming internally consistent. The numbers of tambons and provinces all appear to be match up perfectly. The only change appears to be in the number of quarantined, from 30 to 34. It appears then that the data on the number of districts is not being updated as fast as that on the number of people--which is perfectly logical, and is yet one more small reason to believe that what they're saying is going on is true and by no means made up. Should even 3 out of those 34 people die in the next week, the odds that this is truly bird flu will become so high that no denial however strong could convince me otherwise.

[hawkeye]

What is a Tambon?

Tambon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tambon)
Jump to: navigation, search

Tambon (Thai: ตำบล) is a local government unit in Thailand. Below district (amphoe, Thai: อำเภอ) and province (changwat, Thai: จังหวัด), they form the third administrative subdivision level. As of the 2000 census there are 7254 tambon, not including the 154 kwaeng (แขวง) of Bangkok, which are set at the same administrative level, thus every district contains 8-10 tambon. Tambon is usually translated to English as sub-district or commune. Tambon are further subdivided into 69,307 villages (Muban, หมู่บ้าน), about 10 per tambon. Tambon within cities or town have no subdivision into villages, but into communities (chumchon).

[Sharpe]

Nakhon Ratchasima is one of Thailand's 76 provinces--I put a black box around it. The map is attached. All placemarks indicate news that has happened this year--I removed the ones from last year, which all clustered in the south-central part of the country--in the vicinity of Thailand. I have to pack now for a 6-day trip, so I don't know if I'll be able to check in much. So good luck this week.

[Theresa42]

I have to pack now for a 6-day trip, so I don't know if I'll be able to check in much. So good luck this week.No!! Don't leave us, Sharpe!!!! :p Seriously -- have a good time. Hope it's a pleasure trip -- and hope you can forget about bf for a few days. Bon voyage! :)

[Theresa42]

Mystery rise in bird-flu reports
July 15, 2006

Laboratory tests on three patients suspected to have caught the bird-flu virus in the northern province of Phichit confirmed that they did not have the disease, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday.

Two children, aged 7 and 12, from Thab Khlo district, and a 32-year-old woman showed no signs of the lethal H5N1 virus, said Dr Pratch Boonyawongwiroj, the ministry's deputy permanent secretary.

All had reportedly fallen sick with similar symptoms of high fever, coughing and muscular pain after being in contact with home-raised chickens that died of unexplainable causes, said the doctor.

The ministry warned the public against cooking poultry that had died of irregular symptoms.

Whether it was because of mounting concerns among health workers or the number of cases was rising, the reported number of patients listed as suspected cases of bird flu had surged from a few to about 20 per day, said Dr Kumnuan Ungchusak, director of the ministry's bureau of epidemiology.

Dr Phaijit Warachit, head of the Department of Medical Science responsible for testing the virus, said there had still been no sign of the virus being significantly mutated or developing drug resistance.

Mounting public concern over bird flu has prompted Songkhla Zoo to feed carnivo [article just ends there]

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/07/15/headlines/headlines_30008785.php

[Theresa42]

Here's a much better translation of the article about the 34 people in quarantine in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). From FluWiki -- by jane ...

jane – at 18:43

Here is a translation of Theresa’s article from Thailand at 04:09. They are still waiting for some tests to come back, but the completed tests have been negative. The health precautions farmers take are detailed. Also health officials’ responses to disease are described.

Jul 13— Korat Province News Ctr. : There were 34 cases of suspected bird flu like in the monthly report by the Public Health Department. The Health Ctr. at the 3rd Division has found dead birds in Esan Provinces with unknown causes. However, the result from the lab showed negative of the bird flu virus from these 7 southern -N.E. provinces and the other 2 provinces are still waiting for the result from the lab. The health officials ordered that 9 cities in Korat must spray the area.

Today, Jul 13, Dr. Sooroen Yongratok, Public Health Director of the Korat Province reports of no bird flu cases here between Jan - July of this year and there is noone sick of bird flu and no human deaths from bird flu virus. However the 34 cases are still being quaranteened for precuation.

Even tho there is no bird flu in the Korat area, the health officials are not sitting still, but are very prepared at all times by making sure the residents and villagers are aware of this disease and that they are knowledgeable about prevention and informing the residents in all area by recruiting volunteers to teach how to observe the sick birds or dead birds and report to the officials at the Province Public Health Dept.

Also, there are some cooperations with the Veterinary Department, the Pollice Force, County officials, Education Dept., and all public institutions. These organizations personnel have some responsibilities to bring the awareness about the disease to the public and the prevention and notify the result of the research.

Mr. Suvoet Chaleijohn, Director of the Veterinary Dept. of the 3rd Division of Korat who oversees the 9 N.E. provinces which include, Korat, Chaiyapoom, Bureerum, Yasotoin, RoyEd, Siragaed, Surin, Ubol and Umnahdjaroen, has indicated that there are no known bird flu viruse affected any birds/chickens in these provinces.

However, there are reports from Korat of dead birds found in 9 villages, 13 villages in Chaiyapohn, 1 case in a village in Surin, RoyEd, Sisagaed and Umnaadjaroen, 9 cases in Yasothon in 9 villages and the result from the lab was negative of Bird flu virus from the 7 provinces except Surin and Yasothon are still waiting for the result from the lab. The Health officials take precaution by making sure they spray all areas where the dead birds were found and within 5 kilometers area around it

Mr. Suvuet said that all farm raised chickens must be met with all the health regulations and standards in guidelines provided to farmers and must be relentless and vigorous in desease prevention and monitoring at all time of conditions of chickens since this is approaching the end of rainy season and near winter months which is the outbreak of flu season and farmers must x-ray their chicken twice a month and spray as well as a prevention measure plus check-up periodically as was done in Jan - Mar 2004 and Sept - Oct. 2004.

For example: Korat has found bird flu cases in 2004 in 9 cities, Chatermprokeit, Noenthai, Soongnern, Hueytalaeng, Noensoong, Pimai, Koenburi, Pratai and Umpur Muang. These areas mentioned, Health officials are very strict in observing of dead birds with unknown causes by destroying the rest of the birds/chickens in the area and spray the area as well and send the sample to the lab for further investigation.

In Isan provinces (N.E. provinces) the cock fights are very harmful for this prevention since in the past bird flu cases came from those fighting cocks because they live under people’s houses and find their own food in the nature and can be easily infected by the desease and spread to others and we have tried to encourage the owners to register their cocks so that it is easier to trace if illness occurs and the same applies to ducks. The Health Officials will follow closely and forbid any transporting any birds or chickens without permission from the veterinarian dept. Mr. Suvuet said.

http://www.fluwikie2.com/pmwiki.php?n=Forum.NewsReportsJuly14

[Theresa42]

Seems like there has been poultry deaths of unknown causes in 21 locations within 11 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province. This article says that there have been 43 possible cases of bf in humans since the beginning of this year (cases of flu/pneumonia which were presumably tested for bf) -- unfortunately, no word on the 30+ people reportedly quarantined with flu-like symptoms in the province in recent days or if they are included in the total of 43 possible cases for the year.

Machine-translated from Thai:

Korat [Nakhon Ratchasima] guard dark district risk bird flu spread 21 points 11 districts
โดย ผู้จัดการออนไลน์ 25 กรกฎาคม 2549 18:23 น.

News Agency Nakhon Ratchasima - Livestock Korat guard be careful dark points four spread bird flu 21 points in districts 11 districts order [?] skill every square inch reveal farmer flock come ask for permit move poultry average day each 5 ten thousand bodies field [?] Korat reveal find sick persons be within the scope of so watch be careful bird flu amount 43 cases [since Jan 1].

Chief veterinarian [name] develop health creature bureau domestic animal province Nakhon Ratchasima reveal even though situation task spread of bird flu in district province Nakhon Ratchasima that from report current at present also not find task spread of bird flu occur but find there is poultry die because not known cause.

Result task examine/inspect identify that is virus cholera and virus have a cold normal only that authority can enter work spray disinfectant in area that find poultry die be ready and then in order that is prevention keep before.

(... Long article. I skipped a couple of paragraphs which appeared to be about last year. ...)

Field [name] doctor public health province Nakhon Ratchasima disclose even thought task spread bird flu in people of area province Nakhon Ratchasima that from report find that since date 1 Jan-Jul 2549 (2006) there is patient influenza or pneumonia address in limits/range watch be careful bird flu amount 43 cases but to be no report task lose life.

At present can order permit staff public health district and volunteer public health constantly village pay attention and keep an eye on/guard be careful task spread of disease closely if find that there is poultry in area die unusual get inform public health province immediately.

http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9490000095142&Keyword=%e4%a2%e9%cb%c7%d1%b4%b9%a1

[Sharpe]

Seems like there has been poultry deaths of unknown causes in 21 locations within 11 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province. This article says that there have been 43 possible cases of bf in humans since the beginning of this year (cases of flu/pneumonia which were presumably tested for bf) -- unfortunately, no word on the 30+ people reportedly quarantined with flu-like symptoms in the province in recent days or if they are included in the total of 43 possible cases for the year.

Not good news at all, Theresa.