ID :
73981
Thu, 08/06/2009 - 18:05
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Thailand tightens border controls against plague
BANGKOK, Aug 6 (TNA) - Thailand has stepped up its border precautions to guard against any possible outbreak after pneumonic plague has led to the deaths of three people in China.
Witthaya Kaewparadai, Thai Public Health Minister, said he had assigned the director-general of the Disease Control Department to keep a close watch on measures being implemented in China against the plague, as well as monitor border to prevent animal carriers of the plague entering into Thailand.
"No special measures are being launched against the pneumonic plague," said Mr Witthaya. "The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the situation and we will follow its measures."
The Thai minister commented as the pneumonic plague outbreak hit China’s Ziketan in the northwestern province of Qinghai, killing at least three people. The Chinese government has already ordered the town of more than 10,000 people sealed off to prevent the spread of the outbreak to other parts of China.
Pneumonic plague is caused by the bacteria ‘Yersinia pestis.’ In its spread the plague bacillus enters the skin from the site of the bite and travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph node.
It is usually transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact, inhalation and only rarely, by eating or drinking infected food.
Mr Witthaya however added that the pneumonic plague can be spread only in a short period, unlike the influenza A(H1N1) in which the virus stays in human bodies for longer periods and can be transmitted to other persons.
"Untreated patients of pneumonic plague can die within 24 hours after contracting the plague," said the Thai minister, "so the possibility of the widening outbreak is slim as patient may die before travelling to other areas."
Thailand's Department of Disease Control on Thursday reported that it has been closely monitoring the Flea Index (an average number of fleas of all species per host) in rats at Bangkok's Klong Toey port, the country's major port for sea transport of cargo, but the result indicated that no pneumonic plague is found in those rats.
Veterinarian Plaiyong Sakaraseranee of the Disease Control Department said the agency laid 35 traps, but only seven rats were snared and none of them carried pneumonic plague.
The veterinarian said pneumonic plague was last found in the kingdom in 1952, with no record of the disease since then. In China, the disease last appeared 25 years ago.
Dr Plaiyong said the department will continue to trap rats at 64 border checkpoints nationwide to evaluate the Flea Index, while urging citizens to clean up their homes and urban living areas to prevent possible outbreak.
"Members of the public should also observe rat behaviour and their environment," Dr Plaiyong said. "If a large number of rats is found dead, it is possible that they might have been infected by the disease." (TNA)
Witthaya Kaewparadai, Thai Public Health Minister, said he had assigned the director-general of the Disease Control Department to keep a close watch on measures being implemented in China against the plague, as well as monitor border to prevent animal carriers of the plague entering into Thailand.
"No special measures are being launched against the pneumonic plague," said Mr Witthaya. "The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the situation and we will follow its measures."
The Thai minister commented as the pneumonic plague outbreak hit China’s Ziketan in the northwestern province of Qinghai, killing at least three people. The Chinese government has already ordered the town of more than 10,000 people sealed off to prevent the spread of the outbreak to other parts of China.
Pneumonic plague is caused by the bacteria ‘Yersinia pestis.’ In its spread the plague bacillus enters the skin from the site of the bite and travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph node.
It is usually transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact, inhalation and only rarely, by eating or drinking infected food.
Mr Witthaya however added that the pneumonic plague can be spread only in a short period, unlike the influenza A(H1N1) in which the virus stays in human bodies for longer periods and can be transmitted to other persons.
"Untreated patients of pneumonic plague can die within 24 hours after contracting the plague," said the Thai minister, "so the possibility of the widening outbreak is slim as patient may die before travelling to other areas."
Thailand's Department of Disease Control on Thursday reported that it has been closely monitoring the Flea Index (an average number of fleas of all species per host) in rats at Bangkok's Klong Toey port, the country's major port for sea transport of cargo, but the result indicated that no pneumonic plague is found in those rats.
Veterinarian Plaiyong Sakaraseranee of the Disease Control Department said the agency laid 35 traps, but only seven rats were snared and none of them carried pneumonic plague.
The veterinarian said pneumonic plague was last found in the kingdom in 1952, with no record of the disease since then. In China, the disease last appeared 25 years ago.
Dr Plaiyong said the department will continue to trap rats at 64 border checkpoints nationwide to evaluate the Flea Index, while urging citizens to clean up their homes and urban living areas to prevent possible outbreak.
"Members of the public should also observe rat behaviour and their environment," Dr Plaiyong said. "If a large number of rats is found dead, it is possible that they might have been infected by the disease." (TNA)
