THAILAND-Illness not bird flu, army says

Illness not bird flu, army says

• Published: 5/06/2012 at 11:37 AM

It is not bird flu as first feared, but the illness that has stricken 15 soldiers in Uttaradit and put another 125 under observation was thought serious enough to close an army hospital to all outside patients.

Medical staff closely monitor soldiers being treated for an acute lung infection at the Phraya Phichai Dabhak Army Camp Hospital in Uttaradit yesterday. BOONNUM KERDKAEW

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Illness not bird flu, army says

It is not bird flu as first feared, but the illness that has strickened 15 soldiers in Uttaradit and put another 125 under observation was thought serious enough to close an army hospital to all outside patients.
The Phraya Phichai Dabhak Army Camp Hospital where the soldiers were being treated was put under quarantine after the 15 soldiers contracted a lung infection.

Hospital director Col Kuldanai Supim said the hospital is expected to reopen today, however, as the 15 affected soldiers had recovered steadily while test results showed the 125 others had not contracted the disease.

Several of the recovering soldiers are clearly feeling much better. BOONNUM KERDKAEW

Col Ram Rangsin, an epidemiologist attached to the army, said laboratory tests on the ill soldiers showed that the infection was caused by mycoplasma – a bacteria that can be contracted through sneezing or coughing or close contact with infected people.
Thailand already has a medicine – clarithromycin – for treatment of the disease, Col Ram said.

The doctor added the soldiers had not contracted any severe acute respiratory diseases such as bird flu, as had been feared and rumoured, he said.

The first case detected was that of Pvt Kittirat Meeplong, a native of Tron district. He was diagnosed with the illness on May 29.

A day later, three more army privates at the camp came down with the flu-like symptoms.

The soldiers had a high fever, sore throat and cough.
The Royal Thai Army Medical Department ordered 140 troopers and their trainers examined. It found that 15 of them had contracted the disease.

Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easier-stuff/296656/illness-not-bird-flu-army-says