Thai Swine Flu Irresistance

The global death toll of swine flu is still a mere nothing compared to the death toll of common flu – or road accidents in the case of Thailand. Nevertheless, some resistance to Tamiflu has been identified and Thailand tops Asia’s swine flu death list.

Well, official China still hasn’t reported a single death, one may sense a cover-up. Thailand though by July 09th, 2009, has reached a death toll of 14. That’s 3 more in a day. Why is that? Despite all of Thailand’s well publicized attempts to prevent the spread of another potential nail in the kingdom’s coffin?

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva meanwhile even considered to lock down the country. Sealing the borders was recommended by Chulalongkorn Hospital doctors. Not yet necessary, says Abhisit. But we have to prevent people from approximating each other too much.

Remember, Pattaya, where people seem to approximate each other above-average, was Thailand’s first swine flu hotbed. Visitors from Taiwan practically single-handedly imported the virus from Pattaya back to their homeland.

The Thai government is considering the closure of tutorial schools and online game shops – well, you could as well lock down the whole place.

Again, Thailand is not Asia’s main transport hub. There are far fewer visitors than a year ago. But Thailand manages to top Asia’s swine flu deaths. While even the prime minister admits that the official death toll is quite higher than reported.

Are Thais just less resistant? What makes it easier for the virus to spread around here? Or is Thailand overeagerly reporting, while other countries prefer a less transparent approach to not scare off people?

Again, for most infected people the swine flu means a light fever nothing much to worry about. Furthermore, the victims so far seemed to have a weaker immune system.

Still, magnet-like, Thailand seems to attract whatever inflicts even more pain.

FYI: Thai Ministry of Public Health

Sphere: Related Content

Comments

7 Responses to “Thai Swine Flu Irresistance”

Thai Swine Flu Irresistance | Swine Flu Outbreak on July 9th, 2009 12.34 pm

[...] See the rest here: Thai Swine Flu Irresistance [...]
Jaded on July 9th, 2009 1.17 pm

I assume that the acutal figures are very high but as with avian flu in 2004 we will never know (that was Newin btw). I can tell you that from my own experience a month ago its likely that certain hospitals at least have a real reluctance label flu like symptoms as actual flu. I have to be careful what I say here but from recent conversation with a Thai medical couple who run their own well known clinic I was left in little doubt that stated govenment policy has very little to do with real measures to detect and contain the flu. There may be a bright side to this though. In the long run the measures taken by hospitals and probably by the government to understate the problem may not be a bad thing. In previous serious influenza epidemics the second wave of mutated virus was more lethal than the first. However contracting the first wave gave immunity. Once you’ve had it you will have immunity to the potentially far more lethal second wave so … Get on down to Pattaya and party?
eman on July 9th, 2009 4.03 pm

Saving face behind the wrong mask. I heard a report that the only masks that protect from flu-carrying droplets are known as N95, and they are not available in Thailand. Can anyone confirm?
Leosia on July 9th, 2009 4.19 pm

My feeling is there could be two reasons why the rate of infection is so high in Thailand.

Firstly, pollution in Bangkok is so bad; Thailand, and it’s cities in particular, must be the filthiest country in SE Asia. Admittedly I don’t know if this affects the transmission of the virus.

Secondly, the practice of hospitals ripping people off by forcing them to test for the H1N1 virus before confirming if they have ordinary flu symptoms is discouraging people from going to the doctor. If they are reluctant to go and see a doctor and continue to go to work or mix in public the virus continues to spread rapidly.
tum|bler on July 9th, 2009 8.18 pm

@eman

Here’s a site providing comprehensive information on the flu, including how effective each type of masks is in preventing the spread.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
eman on July 10th, 2009 1.04 am

Thanx tum | bler, thats pretty comprehensive information. They might even know where to find those N95s in Thailand …

I still don’t understand what all the hoopla is as many contradictions prevail, many of them stemming from WHO itself.
Mariyah on July 14th, 2009 2.46 pm

Most likely the pollution problem, adversely affecting people’s immune system.

Leave a Reply

Recent Comments
- Mithran: BTW, is there anyone else who’s reading this hearing echoes of Enid... (The Vongthip Letter Nov 09 - 12)
- StanG: What exactly in that letter that is “obnoxious in the extreme” or... (The Vongthip Letter Nov 09 - 12)
- chdarat: If you are serious about this, I mean choosing this as a way of life then I would consider Wat... (Phra Bill - 6)
- Rich: Interesting comments all, and helpful. I find this dreadful woman’s views... (The Vongthip Letter Nov 09 - 12)
- Hasan Mahmud: Excellent report.... (“Thai Pills” – Ruinous Aphrodisiac In Europe’s Drug Scene - 4)
- Jaded: The first time I read one of these pieces I thought they were in the same... (The Vongthip Letter Nov 09 - 12)
- Wrigley: Just wanted to say the back and forth comments after her piece were well spoken... (The Vongthip Letter Nov 09 - 12)
- Leopold: Didn’t you raise this once, Rich? So, it’s the official viewpoint,... (The Vongthip Letter Nov 09 - 12)
- Matt: Thanks for the great story Phra Bill on your ordination. I have been in BKK a long while a farang... (Phra Bill - 6)