[george]

High alert for swine flu
Ministry calls for calm, says dangerous strain of virus not found in Thailand

BANGKOK: -- An emergency watch has been ordered for the swine flu outbreak which is now spreading in Mexico and threatening to turn into a pandemic, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday.

In New Zealand, 22 students and three teachers have been quarantined amid fears they may have been infected by swine influenza during a language trip to Mexico, where at least 81 deaths have been blamed on the virus, CNN reported.

Pubic Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai urged people to stay calm, saying the H1N1 viral breed which had caused the disease in Mexico had never been reported here.

However, anyone travelling to the US or Mexico should monitor health advisories issued by both Thai and foreign authorities, he said.

Dr Praj Bunyawongwiroj, the minฌistry's permanent secretary, said he would not recommend people to stop eating pork, but noted that humantohuman transmission was possible through direct contact of body fluids or mucus through sneezing and coughing.

People down with the common flu should stay away from the public and keep themselves in good health until the flu was gone, he said.

In Chiang Mai, no order has been given at the international airport to quarantine Mexicans who might arrive, although there are no direct flights landing there, airport director Juturongkhaphol Sodmanee said.

Under regular procedures, medฌical assistance was on standby and would be provided to any sick foreign visitor, but those with apparent flu would be on the Alist for treatment, upon their request, he said.

Chulalongkorn Hospital said it was ready to cope with the possible spread of swine flu in Thailand and could treat people sickened by it. Medical lecturer Yong Phooworrawan said swine flu could spread faster than bird flu but it was much less fatal.

Citing a comparative study, the doctor said 80 out of 1,000 people infected with swine flu had died, but 250 out of 400 of those sickened with bird flu had succumbed.

Swine flu can attack both wild hogs and farm pigs, or other types of swine, he said, adding that the H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 strains possibly found in Thailand could not be transferred to humans.


-- The Nation 2009-04-27

[Rainmon]

george, on 2009-04-27 09:52:03, said:

High alert for swine flu
Ministry calls for calm, says dangerous strain of virus not found in Thailand
Dr Praj Bunyawongwiroj, the minฌistry's permanent secretary, said he would not recommend people to stop eating pork, but noted that humantohuman transmission was possible through direct contact of body fluids or mucus through sneezing and coughing.

Citing a comparative study, the doctor said 80 out of 1,000 people infected with swine flu had died, but 250 out of 400 of those sickened with bird flu had succumbed.

Swine flu can attack both wild hogs and farm pigs, or other types of swine, he said, adding that the H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 strains possibly found in Thailand could not be transferred to humans.

I did not realize how dangerous this virus is, so it can be contracted by air born sneezing from people infected and eating pork, similar to mad cow disease?

This post has been edited by Rainmon: 2009-04-27 10:40

[csmith]

Pandemic advice and guidance for educators and schools can be found at
www.shambles.net/pages/learning/medical/pandemics/

[jfchandler]

I haven't seen that this flu/disease can be transmissed by eating cooked pork. It definitely can be transmitted (like all other flu's) through sneezing, coughing, and other bodily fluids.

[thaibkk]

so that means avoiding public places or overcrowed places like tesco where common people do not mind or do not know what basic hygiene is... coughing, sneezing on food, other people, without covering mouth... the handles of the shopping cart or a dream for bacteries / virusses to be transmitted...

[Thaiblue]

Tell your pigs to cover their snouts when the sneeze.

This post has been edited by Thaiblue: 2009-04-27 10:41

[MyphuketLife]

Rainmon, on 2009-04-27 10:27:02, said:

george, on 2009-04-27 09:52:03, said:

High alert for swine flu
Ministry calls for calm, says dangerous strain of virus not found in Thailand
Dr Praj Bunyawongwiroj, the minฌistry's permanent secretary, said he would not recommend people to stop eating pork, but noted that humantohuman transmission was possible through direct contact of body fluids or mucus through sneezing and coughing.

Citing a comparative study, the doctor said 80 out of 1,000 people infected with swine flu had died, but 250 out of 400 of those sickened with bird flu had succumbed.

Swine flu can attack both wild hogs and farm pigs, or other types of swine, he said, adding that the H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 strains possibly found in Thailand could not be transferred to humans.

I did not realize how dangerous this virus is, so it be contracted by air born sneezing from people infected and eating pork, similar to mad cow disease?

Not from eating pork (maybe raw pork?)... But this is like bird flu, some one that works in close contact with the sick pigs gets sick, then spreads it to others. this one appears to spread with humans easier than bird flu did... Agian eating pigs will not get you sick...

[BigBikeBKK]

jfchandler, on 2009-04-27 10:31:01, said:

I haven't seen that this flu/disease can be transmissed by eating cooked pork. It definitely can be transmitted (like all other flu's) through sneezing, coughing, and other bodily fluids.

I read in one of the Associated Press reports this morning that the virus may be transmitted from eating undercooked pork... Think I'll be avoiding the Moo Gata until this blows over.
Might have been in this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_...u_reality_check

[gr8fldanielle]

I don't think the swine flu comes from eating cooked pork, I would think it would probably be more from swine ingredients in vaccines and medication. The post had an article of a genetically modified breed of pigs that are to be bred specifically for use of transplanting their organs into humans. Don't eat your donor. The swine flu outbreak, is perfectly timed. Massive collapse of the system, martial law can be declared and suspending the constitution can be done by the president, no permission necessary, compliments of "w". The FEMA camps are staffed and on alert, the train cars are connected and standing by, and what a great time to declare a state of emergency. Weeks back on coast to coast am, a woman called in the said that swine flu was being mixed with a more aggressive strain of the flu. If Mexicans are the culprit, maybe the US should round them all up and quarantine them all. It's been done before to the Japanese, does history repeat itself? only if it worked then. On a positive not, I heard yesterday that increasing doses of vitamin C certainly helps, that's what i would do, that and turmeric. That's all folk!

[featography]

Quote

adding that the H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 strains possibly found in Thailand could not be transferred to humans.

Quote

It that guy supposed to say this ?

You caught that too.... "Pubic Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai urged people to stay calm, saying the H1N1 viral breed which had caused the disease in Mexico had never been reported here." in the 2nd paragraph, and finish with ...."possibly found in Thailand...." So H1N1 only transfers from swine to human in Mexico, but not in Thailand.....mmmmmmmm. I just don't understand Thai way...yet.

[Robert44]

Someone or something has got to do something or the future of all of us that call this rock home are looking at a very sorry and short future. So I have mixed feelings when I read this type of article, yes I want my family to be safe and to have a future, no I do not wish suffering to others, yes the population must be reduced, yes it must happen now - how to balance when all the signs are that we must take drastic actions and quickly?
If we don't do something then nature will.
Sorry if slightly off topic but this is something I think about more and more with an increasing sense of frustration.

[mitrapaap]

In Chiang Mai, no order has been given at the international airport to quarantine Mexicans who might arrive, although there are no direct flights landing there, airport director Juturongkhaphol Sodmanee said.


...no order has been given.... although tehere ar not drect flights....

can somebody help me?

[khaowong1]

I just love it when Thai's put out some ridiculous statement like this: [i]In Chiang Mai, no order has been given at the international airport to quarantine Mexicans who might arrive, although there are no direct flights landing there, airport director Juturongkhaphol Sodmanee said.

[mitrapaap]

Seriously, epidemics have happened all the time. Scientists have made us believe that they have all under control, a vaccin against everything, but nature is working and coming up with new threats. Let's hope they find another quick fix, but get used to the fact that our live is not as safe as scientists and technocrates believe.

[Phil Conners]

^^^ Just the typical translated nonsense.

This post has been edited by Phil Conners: 2009-04-27 11:10

[imjustagirl]

gr8fldanielle, on 2009-04-27 10:48:10, said:

On a positive not, I heard yesterday that increasing doses of vitamin C certainly helps, that's what i would do, that and turmeric. That's all folk!

I am not sure if that is the case with this flu...if it is following previous spanish flu pandemic pattern in which the most at risk are actually the 25-45 age group (which seems to be the case in Mexico city) then it would seem those with a stronger immune system actually suffer more. I am reading various articles and they are quoting something to do with massive cytokine release from a healthy immune system as a defense reaction to the virus can actually cause huge damage... here's hoping this is just a hyped up media scare to distract us from the economy meltdown!

[jfchandler]

Glad the Thai govt. is thinking about Mexicans flying into Chiang Mai Airport on non-existant flights...

Guess they forgot to think or mention about Suvarnabhumi....

[churchill]

"For those who worry about eating pork, Harker said there is no danger of infection.

"Pork is safe, there is no concern of catching influenza from the pork. It is an air-borne virus that is transmitted in the airways and it doesn't even enter in the muscle tissue of the pigs," Harker said."

Swine Flu affecting
humans, not pigs - http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local_wlfi_ti...gs_200904252225

[akm]

I did not realize how dangerous this virus is, so it can be contracted by air born sneezing from people infected and eating pork, similar to mad cow disease?
[/quote]

[TunnelRat69]

Phil Conners, on 2009-04-27 06:10:07, said:

^^^ Just the typical translated nonsense.

I say its just Natures way of culling the herd of the weak, like HIV - the people with money and a healthy immune system can usually fight off Aids - viruses attack the weak, sadly in most of the cases, Children, .............so, don't walk, run to the nearest hospital and ask for a Tamiflu shot, no garrauntee - but an offense is the best defense..........

[Rainmon]

jfchandler, on 2009-04-27 11:15:37, said:

Glad the Thai govt. is thinking about Mexicans flying into Chiang Mai Airport on non-existant flights...

Guess they forgot to think or mention about Suvarnabhumi....

People change planes and could have been in Mexico 2 days earlier, just because they don't have direct flights does not mean exposed people will not arrive there. Anyone arriving that has been in the infected locations should be checked out, just have a look at their passport and travel dates...

[gr8fldanielle]

"yes the population must be reduced, yes it must happen now"

what a ridiculous statement! The world is not overpopulated, nor is there a shortage of resources. It's the same as tax monies, we don't need more, it needs to be used properly, meaning efficiently. Stop dumping 18 kilos of grain into an animal to get 1 kilo of meat, stupid, even 3 kilos of grain to get one kilo of chicken is stupid. There are so many better ways to do almost everything, the answer is not more of the same that got us into this mess in the first place. If dumping money into the schools would make a difference, why hasn't it done so thus far? This culture of consuming antibiotics and the breeding of disease through the food chain is stupid. I'm all for capitol punishment, kill the aggressor! For those that think the world is too crowded, then you should be the first to go and do so because it's your duty. Sure there is a time and place for everything, even killing, but to kill because it makes you feel good, ie. delicious, or others are in your way, step right up to the block. Not to mention the amount of oil it takes to breed these swine and avian beings. what a waste!
That's pathetic. The bird flu and swine flu is nature's way of "som num na".

[churchill]

featography, on 2009-04-27 10:52:00, said:

Quote

adding that the H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 strains possibly found in Thailand could not be transferred to humans.

Quote

It that guy supposed to say this ?

You caught that too.... "Pubic Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai urged people to stay calm, saying the H1N1 viral breed which had caused the disease in Mexico had never been reported here." in the 2nd paragraph, and finish with ...."possibly found in Thailand...." So H1N1 only transfers from swine to human in Mexico, but not in Thailand.....mmmmmmmm. I just don't understand Thai way...yet.

Speculation on how the virus is spread -

"Residents believed the outbreak had been caused by contamination from pig breeding farms located in the area. They believed that the farms, operated by Granjas Carroll, polluted the atmosphere and local water bodies, which in turn led to the disease outbreak. According to residents, the company denied responsibility for the outbreak and attributed the cases to “flu.” However, a municipal health official stated that preliminary investigations indicated that the disease vector was a type of fly that reproduces in pig waste and that the outbreak was linked to the pig farms. It was unclear whether health officials had identified a suspected pathogen responsible for this outbreak."

http://localfoods.wordpress.com/2009/04/26...e-flu-outbreak/

[Marcan]

jfchandler, on 2009-04-27 10:31:01, said:

I haven't seen that this flu/disease can be transmissed by eating cooked pork. It definitely can be transmitted (like all other flu's) through sneezing, coughing, and other bodily fluids.

[geriatrickid]

mitrapaap, on 2009-04-27 11:06:18, said:

Seriously, epidemics have happened all the time. Scientists have made us believe that they have all under control, a vaccin against everything, but nature is working and coming up with new threats. Let's hope they find another quick fix, but get used to the fact that our live is not as safe as scientists and technocrates believe.

Scientists made you believe? So basically you are saying that you are incapable of rational thought? If you think that the scienctists haven't made the world somewhat better, than perhaps you would like to go back to the average life expectancy of 25 of ancient Rome or the Middle Ages? Are you aware that the typical lifespan at the start of the 20th century was about 35? Yes that's right, once you include populations throughout the world. I think we've done ok so far considering lifespans are up to about 70 years on a global average.

Just as viruses and bacteria mutate, so too does the human immune system. The same genetic recombination mechanisms that give rise to cancers and birth defects also give rise to cellular changes that can fight off diseases. There are no quick fixes and it takes time, but the human body is resilient and can adapt.

TunnelRat69, on 2009-04-27 11:17:39, said:

I say its just Natures way of culling the herd of the weak, like HIV - the people with money and a healthy immune system can usually fight off Aids - viruses attack the weak, sadly in most of the cases, Children, .............so, don't walk, run to the nearest hospital and ask for a Tamiflu shot, no garrauntee - but an offense is the best defense..........

News of The World at its best. AIDS is the condition brought about by HIV infection. Once you get AIDS.. One can delay it, but it's fatal and makes one susceptible to other illnesses. What we do is treat the HIV infection to prevent it from becoming AIDS. It is a non discriminatory infection.

Why do you think a Tamiflu injection will be a cure all? Are you aware of the serious ADRs associated with indiscriminate Tamiflu use? Hospitals will not be handing out Tamiflu on demand. It will be used for those cases where it is deemed necessary and where the virus is not a resistant variant. There are not enough doses to treat everyone that thinks they are ill. Reserves are kept for key workers and those that are diagnosed as ill. Thailand does not have stockpiles on hand and is relying on the WHO transfer system. This system has been demonstrated effective during the last crisis in Indonesia. Those technocrats must have done something right last time because it worked.

Stop fixating on cures and focus on prevention. If you are that concerned, wear a facemask, wear gloves and wash your hands regularly. Avoid all human contact if that is your fear. I for one intend to go on living and not cower in fear.