No Epidemic In Thailand’s Post-Flood Period

BANGKOK, December 8 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) have confirmed in a joint statement that Thailand is safe, as there has been no epidemic in the Kingdom, in the wake of massive floods over the past three months. Permanent Secretary for Public Health Paijit Warachit said that the joint statement, released this week in both Thai and English versions by his ministry, WHO and CDCP, was aimed to create confidence in Thailand's health safety among locals and international visitors, following the flooding crisis. Dr. Paijit noted that the joint statement, endorsed by WHO Representative to Thailand Dr. Maureen Birmingham and CDCP Director Dr. Micheal D. Morrison, will be published on the official websites of the Thai Ministries Public Health, Foreign Affairs and Tourism and Sports, as well as the state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). With technical and medical support from the WHO and the CDCP, the senior Thai Public Health Ministry official affirmed that Thailand has successfully reduce risks and prevent any outbreak of flood-borne diseases and epidimics. According to Thai government statistics, bacterial diseases such as athlete’s foot, lung infections, food poisoning, diarrhea and conjunctivitis, were the most common diseases found in flood evacuees at temporary shelters. Nonetheless, the number of patients with these diseases has been comparable with previous years. The official statistics also indicated that most fatalities were caused by flood-related accidents such as drowning and electrical shocks. (TNA)