BANGKOK, Aug 6 — Thailand has stepped up its border precautions to guard against any possible outbreak after pneumonic plague has led to the deaths of three people in China.
According to the Thailand news agency (TNA), Public Health Minister Witthaya said he had assigned the the Disease Control Department to keep a close watch on measures being implemented in China against the plague, as well as monitor border to prevent animal carriers of the plague entering into Thailand.
“No special measures are being launched against the pneumonic plague. The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the situation and we will follow its measures,” he said, when asked to comment on the pneumonic plague outbreak which killed three people in China’s Ziketan in the northwestern province of Qinghai.
Following the outbreak, the Chinese government has already ordered the town of more than 10,000 people sealed off to prevent the spread of the outbreak to other parts of China.
However, Witthaya added that the pneumonic plague can be spread only in a short period, unlike the influenza A(H1N1) in which the virus stays in human bodies for longer periods and can be transmitted to other persons.
“Untreated patients of pneumonic plague can die within 24 hours after contracting the plague,” said the minister, reports TNA.
Today, Thailand’s Department of Disease Control reported that no pneumonic plague found in rats at the Bangkok’s Klong Toey Port (Thailand’s major port for sea transport of cargo), after closely monitoring the Flea Index in the rats.
Veterinarian Plaiyong Sakaraseranee of the Disease Control Department said the agency laid 35 traps but only seven rats were snared and none of them carried pneumonic plague.
Thailand last recorded pneumonic plague in 1952, Dr Plaiyong said, adding that the department will continue to trap rats at 64 border checkpoints nationwide to evaluate the Flea Index.
He also urged the citizens to clean up their homes and urban living areas to prevent possible outbreak.
Pneumonic plague is caused by the bacteria ‘Yersinia pestis.’ In its spread the plague bacillus enters the skin from the site of the bite and travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph node.
It is usually transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact, inhalation and only rarely, by eating or drinking infected food. – Bernama
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