NEW ZEALAND embassy staff have been told that the death of young tourist Sarah Carter was caused by a highly infectious virus that triggered a fatal heart complaint, the NZ media is reporting.
The death of Ms Carter, 23, at a Chiang Mai hotel in February was one of five in the city within six weeks - four of them at the same hotel - that have yet to be fully explained.
The 'Dominion Post' today reported that tests carried out on Ms Carter showed she had echovirus - a highly contagious disease that can cause the heart condition myocarditis. ''The disease is linked to dirty, overcrowded conditions,'' the newspaper report said.
A Thai doctor, Pasakorn Akarasewi, met New Zealand embassy staff on Thursday night and passed on the report so far on Ms Carter's death, according to the NZ Press Association.
British pensioners George and Eileen Everitt, who died in the hotel just two weeks later, were reported to have shown signs associated with heart attacks, although it seemed unlikely that heart attacks had killed them both simultaneously.
The deaths of Waraporn Pungmahisiranon, 47, in the room next to Ms Carter the previous day and an American woman in similar circumstances at another Chiang Mai hotel in January have yet to be explained.
Fifth Mystery Death in Chiang Mai Riddle: Laleena Link?The death of Ms Carter, 23, at a Chiang Mai hotel in February was one of five in the city within six weeks - four of them at the same hotel - that have yet to be fully explained.
The 'Dominion Post' today reported that tests carried out on Ms Carter showed she had echovirus - a highly contagious disease that can cause the heart condition myocarditis. ''The disease is linked to dirty, overcrowded conditions,'' the newspaper report said.
A Thai doctor, Pasakorn Akarasewi, met New Zealand embassy staff on Thursday night and passed on the report so far on Ms Carter's death, according to the NZ Press Association.
British pensioners George and Eileen Everitt, who died in the hotel just two weeks later, were reported to have shown signs associated with heart attacks, although it seemed unlikely that heart attacks had killed them both simultaneously.
The deaths of Waraporn Pungmahisiranon, 47, in the room next to Ms Carter the previous day and an American woman in similar circumstances at another Chiang Mai hotel in January have yet to be explained.
Breaking News The unexplained death of a fifth person has been linked to four Chiang Mai deaths, with comparisons now being drawn with the still mysterious deaths of two tourists on Phi Phi in 2009.
Fifth Mystery Death in Chiang Mai Riddle: Laleena Link?
Phuket's '50 Unexplained Deaths' Attract a Scaremonger
News Analysis It's great to have a security expert who is interested in unexplained deaths on Phuket and in Chiang Mai, but editors really should let the facts get in the way of his ''gory story.''
Phuket's '50 Unexplained Deaths' Attract a Scaremonger
Tsunami Sends Message to Phuket: Always Know Who Will Wake You
PHOTO ALBUM/Update A tsunami after a quake off Japan causes vast devastation and sent people to rooftops. For Thailand and Phuket, the dramatic reminder is the need for eternal vigilance.
Tsunami Sends Message to Phuket: Always Know Who Will Wake You
The Planet Phuket Project: Crunching Island Corruption
The Quest for Answers Phuket has the offer of expert help now to prepare the island for a corruption free future, necessary to achieve fairness and balance for future generations.
The Planet Phuket Project: Crunching Island Corruption
Phuket's Incredible Shrinking Resort, Pearl for the Future
Latest The race to cover Phuket in resorts should come to an end, says one managing director whose vision of the future is radically different, and aims for balance.
Phuket's Incredible Shrinking Resort, Pearl for the Future
I wonder if the official who maintained it was pure 'co-incidence' that these deaths occurred in the same hotel will now respond ?
Posted by LivinLOS on March 12, 2011 12:12
Editor Comment:
Is there some kind of link between the deaths? No proven connection yet, just guesswork.