# 327
The Nation, Bangkok's Independent newspaper, is reporting in their breaking news section that 26 people are under observation for bird flu in Phitsanulok, the site of the duck farm where a family of four is suspected of having been infected.
So far, we've seen no reports on the medical condition of the family, or test results. Two farm workers had reportedly fled the area, and were being searched for earlier in the week, but I've seen no follow up on that report, either.
26 suspected bird-flu cases detected in Phitsanulok
Phitsanulok - A total of 26 suspected bird-flu cases are being closely watched in this northern province, a the chief public health officer of the province said Friday.
Doctor Thawatchai Kamoltham, chief Phitsanulok public health officer, said 15 of the 26 people under close watch for possible bird-flu contacting were officials taking part in culling infected fowls.
The rest were villagers from three districts of Muang, Wat Bote and Bang Rakam, Thawatchai said.
Only three of the 26 have been admitted to hospitals while the rest were being closely monitored at their home.
The Nation
As is not unusual, the numbers here seem to bounce around a bit. On Monday we were told there were 3 family members under observation. Yesterday it was 4 family members hospitalized. Today, 3 of 26 `suspects' hospitalized.
The remainder are merely under observation. My guess is, this is simply a precautionary move. These people were potentially exposed, and haven't as yet, shown any signs of infection.
UPDATE: 04:30 EDT
Xinhua Online is reporting a slightly different version of the above story. In their version, the cullers are symptomatic. A detail not mentioned in the previous report.
26 suspected human bird-flu cases detected in N Thailand
BANGKOK, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 26 suspected human bird-flu cases were being closely watched in Thailand's northern province of Phitsanulok since they fell sick after contacting with dead birds, the chief public health officer of the province said Friday.
Thawatchai Kamoltham, chief Phitsanulok public health officer, said 15 of the 26 people whose symptoms are similar to those of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus were officials taking part in culling infected fowls.
The rest were villagers from three districts of Muang, Wat Boteand Bang Rakam, Thawatchai was quoted by Thai news group The Nation as saying.
However, only three of the 26 have been admitted to hospitals while the rest were being closely monitored at their home, the report said.
Local health authorities had declared a duck farm in Tortae sub-district of Phitsanulok off-limits for two weeks as a precaution. About 600 ducks in the farm have been slaughtered. It is also reported that there are also about 30 pigs in the province which may have contracted bird flu.
Okay, the second paragraph in each article is IDENTICAL except for the phrase ,"whose symptoms are similar to those of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus:, which appears to have been either redacted from the first article, or added to the second.
I guess we get to flip a coin to decide.
