Pratchaya Kerdthong
Public Health Ministry officials are working with
area hotels to prevent an outbreak of potentially fatal Legionnaire’s
Disease.
At an April 25 seminar in Jomtien, Dr. Rome Buathong
of the ministry’s Disease Control Bureau and staff from D&G Chemical &
Trading Co. reminded hotel executives that Legionnaire’s is usually
transmitted by unclean air-conditioning units and has a mortality rate
higher than the most virulent flu.
“Research shows that the mortality rate for is up to
15 percent, higher than Influenza H1N1,” Rome said. “Bacteria are often
found in a large reservoir, which is considered very formidable.”
Named after the 1976 outbreak at an American Legion
convention in Philadelphia that killed 29 people, Legionnaires’ victims
are often guests at hotels cooled by massive air-conditioning systems.
The waterborne bacteria Legionella pneumophila incites pneumonia and
other respiratory illnesses.
Pattaya has not seen a Legionnaire’s outbreak since
1995, although Buathong referenced a case of an unnamed man who died of
Legionnaire’s-like symptoms earlier this year. He may, however, have
contracted the disease elsewhere.
Rome said symptoms include poor appetite, fatigue,
muscle pain, and headaches with a sudden high fever. The body
temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius with a cough with no sputum,
abdominal pain, and diarrhea. During the current situation the
Legionella disease is more violent. In Thailand, the most susceptible
places are Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya.
The ministry expert discussed response plans in other
countries, noting Sweden takes swift action at any hint of an outbreak,
closing entire hotel districts if necessary.
Suradet Sathnapathai, president of the Eastern Hotel
Technicians Association, added that the United States and other
countries prevent the disease with chlorine dioxide systems that safety
kill the Legionella bacteria in drinking water.
Despite the lack of outbreaks, officials agreed more
importance must be given to standards and systems of disease prevention
in the workplace.
