Published Date: 2012-06-04 09:17:31
Subject: PRO/MBDS> Undiagnosed illness - Thailand: Uttaradit, RFI
Archive Number: 20120604.1252

UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS - THAILAND: UTTARADIT, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
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A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

[1]
Date: Sat 2 Jun 2012
Source: National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) Public Relations
Department [edited]
http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255506020005


A total of 40 conscripts of a cavalry unit were immediately taken to
Uttaradit's Fort Phichaidaphak Hospital after they all suffered
headaches, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulties, and accelerated
heartbeat. Military officials put up a sign that declared the hospital
to be in quarantine until [5 Jun 2012].

Inside the hospital, medical staff and military personnel alike wore
protective masks. Outsiders were strictly forbidden entry to the
hospital. Doctors and nurses were reportedly busy treating the
conscripted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Unit of the 3rd Army Region
who were afflicted by a contagious disease still unidentified.

While the 40 soldiers fell ill because of an unknown disease, another 60
were put under close medical observation. Another solider was critically
ill and had to be taken to the provincial hospital. The soldiers'
symptoms included headaches, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulties,
accelerated heartbeat, and lung inflammation similar to a cold disease,
but of greater severity.

No high-level authorities at Fort Phichaidaphak Hospital could be
reached for comment on the matter.

[Byline: Itiporn Lakarnchua]

--
Communicated by:
PRO/MBDS
<promed-mbds@promedmail.org>

******
[2]
Date: Sun 3 Jun 2012
Source: Expat Newsletter [edited]
http://www.expatnewsletter.net/flu-laid-soldiers-low-governor-says/


Uttaradit Governor Yothin Samutkhiri said yesterday [2 Jun 2012] that
initial reports suggest the mysterious disease that broke out among
conscripts at the 7th Cavalry Battalion was an unidentified strain of
flu. It was under control and wouldn't spread outside the battalion's base.

The outbreak infected 7 privates, one of whom lost a lung to a bacterial
infection. Some 140 soldiers were now quarantined at Khai Pichai Darphak
Hospital, under the supervision of Phra Mongkut Hospital medical staff.

--
Communicated by:
PRO/MBDS
<promed-mbds@promedmail.org>

[The 2 newswires above report an outbreak of undiagnosed illness in
Uttaradit province. About 140 soldiers are under quarantine at the Fort
Phichaidaphak Hospital in Uttaradit. Of these, 40 fell ill with symptoms
of headaches, fever, fatigue, breathing difficulties and accelerated
heartbeat. One conscript was in critical condition. Authorities
suggested that cause of the outbreak is an unidentified strain of influenza.

PRO/MBDS would greatly appreciate further information from knowledgeable
sources regarding the investigation and etiologic agent responsible for
the outbreak described above in Uttaradit province, Thailand.

For maps showing Thailand's regions, see
http://www.thailand-map.net/thailand_provinces/; for provinces, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Thailand. For the
interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Thailand with links to other
recent ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS postings, see
http://healthmap.org/r/2vwG. - Mod.SCM]
...................................scm/mj/yma