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Published Date: 2011-03-21 22:51:42
Subject:PRO/MBDS> Foodborne illness - Thailand
Archive Number: 20110321.0893
FOODBORNE ILLNESS - THAILAND
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A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
Date: Sun 20 Mar 2011
Source: National News Bureau of Thailand Public Relations Department [edited]
The Ministry of Public Health has issued an official warning against consuming uncooked food during this summer [2011], as food can be easily spoiled due to rising temperatures in summer, and bacteria thrive better during this season, and can cause food poisoning.
Deputy Public Health Minister Pannasiri Kullanardsiri said The Bureau of Epidemiology found that over 19 000 people had been treated for food poisoning within the past 2 months [January-February 2011]. The Deputy Public Health Minister advised people to maintain personal hygiene, such as trimming their nails, washing their hands after using the bathroom and before eating food.
Food that should be avoided includes papaya salad with raw crab meat or any food that contains coconut milk and half-cooked seafood, as it can be spoiled within a short period of time. Another way is to preserve food in a refrigerator at a low temperature to prevent bacteria from growing and to always make sure meat and vegetables are cooked during preparation.
The Bureau of Epidemiology's Director, Dr. Manit Theeratantikanon, said food poisoning will manifest between 2-4 hours after consuming contaminated food. People who could be at risk are students, people attending a party, and migrant workers. He advised everyone to commit to good personal hygiene to prevent themselves from getting ill.
[Byline: Nuppol Suvansombut]
-- Communicated by: PRO/MBDS
[According to the above newswire, authorities warn people to avoid consumption of contaminated food or easily spoiled food, including papaya salad with raw crab meat or any food that contains coconut milk and half-cooked seafood, since over 19 000 cases attributable to food poisoning were reported in the 1st 2 months in 2011.
According to the Thai Ministry of Public Health, Bureau of Epidemiology (BOE)'s food poisoning report, dated 22 Mar 2011, available in Thai at http://www.boe.moph.go.th/boedb/surd...4/d03_1054.pdf, between 1 Jan 2011 and 14 Mar 2011, a total of 19 148 cases due to food poisoning with no deaths were reported nationwide. The attack rate was 30.14 per 100 000 population. The highest attack rates were reported in the northeastern region (47.10 per 100 000 population), followed by northern region (38.59), the central region (16.98) and the southern region (9.54).
The 5 provinces with the highest attack rates of food poisoning (per 100 000 population) were Amnart Charoen (158.30), Khon Kaen (78.99), Udon Thani (74.86), Phitsanulok (68.12) and Ubon Ratchathani (67.36). Compared to the number of cases during the same period between 2010 and 2011, lower numbers of food poisoning cases were reported in 2011. Of 19 148 cases, 10 285 cases were reported in January 2011, 7383 cases in February 2011 and 1480 cases during the 1st 2 weeks of March 2011.
In 2010, a total of 102 827 cases attributed to food poisoning and 13 fatalities were reported in Thailand. Of these, 11 546 food poisoning cases were reported in January 2010, 8688 cases in February 2010 and 8483 cases in March 2010.
For maps showing Thailand's regions, see http://www.thailand-map.net/thailand_provinces/; for provinces, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Thailand. For the interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Thailand with links to other recent ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS postings, see http://healthmap.org/r/00cC. - Mod.SCM]