Lao, Thai health officials on the alert for influenza A(H1N1)

Lao and Thai health officials met on Thursday in Vientiane to discuss plans to keep the H1N1 flu virus at bay during the upcoming SEA Games.

Currently about 3,000 to 4,000 Thai people visit Laos each day.

“That number is expected to double with visitors coming to Lao s to watch the games, so we need to increase our surveillance and prevention efforts against influenza,” said Vientiane Health Department's Epidemiology Unit Head Dr Phonepaseuth on Friday.

He said that to ensure the safety of visitors to the SEA Games, coordination and quick response was needed to effectively deal with people suspected of having the H1N1 flu virus.

“Sharing of data and information on the situation, and establishing hotlines between our two countries' health authorities is essential for an effective response,” he said. Dr Phonepaseuth said it was also necessary to set up a joint outbreak checkpoint and response teams in the two countries, where appropriate and upon request.

He said authorities from Laos and Thailand had worked closely together on surveillance of and response to pandemic diseases in the past.

Dr Phonepaseuth said officials would also be on the lookout for dengue fewer, outbreaks of diarrhoea and bird flu.

Vientiane Health Department Deputy Director Dr Khamtan Buaphaivanh, Nong Khai Public Health Office Deputy Head Dr Wisanu Wittayabumlung and other officials from Laos and Thailand attended the meeting.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update Novembe 23, 2009)