Dr. Vuthakrai Saksurkan
of the Chonburi Public Health office advises hoteliers and retailers on
how to prevent the Ebola Virus.
Surasak Huasoon
Chonburi public-health officials dispensed some unusual advice to hotel
operators and retailers as part of Pattaya’s effort to educate residents
about the Ebola Virus, including avoiding uninspected imported wild
animals and eating dead bats.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presided over the Sept. 8 meeting to talk about
Ebola prevention.
Dr. Vuthakrai Saksurkan of the Chonburi Public Health office reviewed
the current situation of the epidemic in Africa, which has killed more
than 1,800 people and infected more than 4,000, principally in Guinea,
Liberia and Nigeria.
Thailand has not had a reported case of Ebola, although national health
officials have stationed doctors at international airports and are using
infra-red cameras to detect people arriving with fevers from high-risk
areas. Two people have been isolated and tested for Ebola, but blood
tests on both showed they did not have the disease.
Ebola can take up to 21 days to manifest, with early symptoms similar to
the flu. Later symptoms include rash, liver and kidney damage, excessive
bleeding, and diarrhea.
Among the advice given to hotel operators and retailers was to avoid
contact with imported animals that have not had health checks, and to
avoid consumption of animals from unknown sources, specifically monkeys
and bats.
For those traveling to affected areas of Africa, they are advised to
avoid contact with wild animals, any contact with bodily fluids from
Ebola patients and to quickly report to doctors if symptoms appear.
