HHAD
22 May 09
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WEEKLY
ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE FOR THE EXPAT IN ALL OF US What’s happening, and might be happening, in Hua Hin
Tourist death ‘not swine flu’ Panic over as tests prove negative for H1N1 virus; fatality caused by pneumonia, common flu
HUA HIN, THAILAND For a brief period earlier this week, both the Marriott Hotel and San Paulo Hospital were closed down as fears swept the town of an outbreak of the much hyped ‘Swine flu’ after a German woman, Mrs Barbel Wilhelmine, 65, who had been staying at the hotel and had been taken to the hospital, died on her way to Bangkok. Initial reports had said that the new flu strain, H1N1, had been found in her, but later reports said that it had been common influenza and pneumonia that had caused her death. Mrs Wilhelmine arrived in Thailand on May 12 with her husband, and their child. She showed no flu symptoms. They then drove to Hua Hin and stayed in the hotel for about a week before having chest pains and breathing difficulties on May 16. Her husband alerted hotel staff who sent her to San Paolo Hua Hin Hospital. The German stopped breathing on her way to the hospital, but the paramedics used CPR to revive her. The hospital then referred her case to Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok, but she died on the way, in Samut Sakhon province, on May 18. Of the 8,829 infection cases in 40 countries, 74 have died, mostly in Mexico, the US, Canada and Costa Rica, according to official figures from the World Health
Marriott, or at San Paulo Hospital, and that the temporary closures were a precautionary measure only. Everyone should of course take their usual precautions to avoid catching or spreading any illnesses, and should consult a doctor at the earliest sign of fever. A quarantine officer monitors travelers with a thermographic device at an arrival gate at the Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. Organisation. Thailand confirmed two H1N1 infections after they returned from a trip to Mexico on May 12, but both have recovered after receiving treatment. There are eight other people still in quarantine at Thai hospitals under observation for suspected swine flu. Thailand has imposed a host of preventative measures against the spread of H1N1, including the use of heat-seeking devices at the country’s main international airports to detect arrivals suffering from fever. AWOL would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Wilhelmine. We would also like to make clear that there is no risk whatsoever to other guests or visitors at the
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