ID :
58022
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 21:05
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/58022
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Health ministry confirms negative test in Thai suspected swine flu patient
BANGKOK, April 28 (TNA) – Thailand’s Public Health Ministry announced on Tuesday that a patient suspected to have contracted the contagious swine flu virus was found to have ordinary flu, but she will remain in hospital for several days to further assess the symptoms.
Chulalongkorn Hospital vice-director Dr. Theerapong Chareonvit said earlier that a 42-year-old woman suspected of being infected with swine flu virus was admitted as she was in Mexico April 3-11 for a seminar, and went to California in the United States the following week.
Dr. Theerapong said the patient had a high fever of 37 degrees Celsius, and was quarantined from other patients to assess the symptoms. Medical workers also monitored family members who interacted with the patient.
Permanent Secretary for Public Heath Dr. Prat Boonyawongviroj said the Chulalongkorn Hospital laboratory test results were negative, but the patient must remain in hospital awaiting other test results from a Medical Sciences Department laboratory.
The Medical Science Department lab findings are expected within 48 hours, he said, adding that the result would eventually be reported to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Meanwhile, Dr. Sakarindr Bhumiratana, director of Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) said the agency will complete production of swine flu vaccine within 2-3 weeks.
Dr. Sakarindr said production of the vaccine is a continuing operation of the agency to research and develop various strains of flu vaccine, including avian influenza (bird flu).
In an attempt to prevent the outbreak of swine flu in Thailand, government deputy spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said that the Cabinet has approved stepping up swine flu preventive measures.
"1,030 rapid mobile units are set to monitor and detect suspected patients who may be infected with new virus strain in every district to control the virus from spreading quickly. Fourteen laboratories are ready to test and issue results within four hours," he said.
Mr. Supachai added that Thailand has sufficient supplies and storage capacity of the anti-viral drugs if swine flu virus spreads in the kingdom. (TNA)
Chulalongkorn Hospital vice-director Dr. Theerapong Chareonvit said earlier that a 42-year-old woman suspected of being infected with swine flu virus was admitted as she was in Mexico April 3-11 for a seminar, and went to California in the United States the following week.
Dr. Theerapong said the patient had a high fever of 37 degrees Celsius, and was quarantined from other patients to assess the symptoms. Medical workers also monitored family members who interacted with the patient.
Permanent Secretary for Public Heath Dr. Prat Boonyawongviroj said the Chulalongkorn Hospital laboratory test results were negative, but the patient must remain in hospital awaiting other test results from a Medical Sciences Department laboratory.
The Medical Science Department lab findings are expected within 48 hours, he said, adding that the result would eventually be reported to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Meanwhile, Dr. Sakarindr Bhumiratana, director of Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) said the agency will complete production of swine flu vaccine within 2-3 weeks.
Dr. Sakarindr said production of the vaccine is a continuing operation of the agency to research and develop various strains of flu vaccine, including avian influenza (bird flu).
In an attempt to prevent the outbreak of swine flu in Thailand, government deputy spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said that the Cabinet has approved stepping up swine flu preventive measures.
"1,030 rapid mobile units are set to monitor and detect suspected patients who may be infected with new virus strain in every district to control the virus from spreading quickly. Fourteen laboratories are ready to test and issue results within four hours," he said.
Mr. Supachai added that Thailand has sufficient supplies and storage capacity of the anti-viral drugs if swine flu virus spreads in the kingdom. (TNA)
