# 2343
Thailand hasn't reported a human infection from the H5N1 virus in 2 years, the last one occurring in late September of 2006. After a rocky start in 2004-2005, Thailand has moved very aggressively to contain and eradicate the virus.
Today the Bangkok Post is reporting on a suspected case - a fatality - although at this juncture, it isn't entirely clear if this is really a case of human H5N1 infection.
Suspected bird flu victim dies
Wednesday October 01, 2008
SITTHIPOJ KEBUI and APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
PHICHIT : A worker on a free-range duck farm died from bird flu-like symptoms in Pho Prathap Chang district yesterday, and health authorities put his 12-year-old son under close observation for signs of infection with the virus.
Manee Mankhetkit, 48, was taken to the provincial hospital on Monday after he developed a high fever, suffered from a cough, sore throat, chest pains and breathing difficulties.
The man was treated in an isolated intensive care ward because he had come into contact with fowls. He was a hired hand at a duck farm which has more than 1,600 birds. Doctors pronounced him dead due to kidney and heart failure.
His 12-year-old son Sakda, who worked alongside his father, was taken to Phichit hospital yesterday. He too was put in an isolation ward for observation, and no visitors were allowed to see him.
Livestock officials have collected samples from the free-range ducks, which have being dying in big numbers over the past week, for testing for the bird flu virus.
Public health permanent-secretary Prat Boonyawongwirot said lab tests were being made on samples collected from the dead man's body to see whether he was infected with the deadly H5N1 virus as believed.
The results were expected to be released today.
Dr Prat said leptospirosis could also not be ruled out as a possible cause of death as the area was affected by floods.
There were reports of poultry, particularly free-range ducks, dying en masse in the district during the past week.
Thailand has recently been hit by major flooding, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 people, and blamed for thousands of illnesses. Leptospirosis, which is mentioned as a potential alternative diagnosis, is one of those diseases often associated with floods.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and other animals, caused by the Leptospira bacteria. Outbreaks can occur when people are exposed to water contaminated by the urine of infected animals.
Many animals can carry the bacteria, although rodents are often associated with the disease. Symptoms can include high fever, `flu-like symptoms', vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even jaundice. Complications can include kidney damage, meningitis, and respiratory distress.
Leptospirosis is not uncommon in Thailand, with several hundred cases reported each year. Fatality rates of over 4% have been reported.
We shall have to wait until lab tests come back before we can know if this victim was infected with the H5N1 virus. The good news is, Thailand has a pretty good record of following up on these reports.
This report on the recent flooding, and disease outbreaks, from the Canadian Press.
Thailand flooding kills 23 over past 2 weeks
BANGKOK, Thailand — Floods in Thailand have killed 23 people and sickened more than 230,000 over the past two weeks, including many who contracted waterborne ailments after wading through dirty water, the government said Tuesday.
The 23 people were swept away by flash floods that have afflicted 27 of Thailand's 75 provinces since early September, the Ministry of Public Health said in a statement.
Seven of the 23 victims were elderly people and four were children under 12, said Siripon Kanchana, deputy permanent secretary at the ministry.
Most of those who sought medical treatment suffered from skin funguses, cold symptoms and respiratory problems.
The health ministry warned residents that floodwaters were full of parasitic leeches, human waste and bacteria that can cause skin infections and fungus.
The floods, which destroyed farmland and inundated villages, have caused nearly US$8 million in damage, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center said.
Heavy downpours in northern and northeastern Thailand at the height of the rainy season caused rivers to swell, Water Resources Department Director-General Siripong Hungspreuk said, warning residents in low-lying areas to remain vigilant for flash floods and mudslides.
