THREE nurses and a doctor boarded a cruise ship with Immigration officers yesterday at Phuket's deep sea port to check passengers and crew for swine flu.
Two Thais and a German woman bound for Phuket were in quarantine in Bangkok today, with Asia being advised to stay alert for a ''second wave'' of the swine flu outbreak.
The German woman's high temperature was detected at Suvarnabhumi Airport while the Thais, both men, fell ill after returning from trips over the weekend.
The director of Phuket's Provincial Public Health, Dr Pongsawat Rattanasang, said that yesterday, a total of 1900 passengers and crew on the Super Star Virgo were checked.
One passenger, an Indian woman, showed symptoms of having flu. She had boarded the cruise ship in Singapore, the boat's last port of call before Phuket.
Dr Pongsawat said an examination showed the woman had a normal fever.
The killer virus has slowed its pace in North America, but World Health Organisation and medical experts remain on high alert.
Mexico, epicentre of the outbreak, claimed to have contained the H1N1 epidemic.
But WHO director general Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun said that while the first wave might be subsiding, the virus could return with a vengeance and ''would be the biggest of all outbreaks the world has faced in the 21st century''.
On Phuket, a theremoscan unit already on board the cruise liner was used to check passengers and crew yesterday.
''I was impressed with medical facilities on board,'' Dr Pongsawat said.
''They have one doctor and three nurses on the liner, an intensive care unit and an operating theatre.''
Yachts that arrive on Phuket have to first register at Chalong Pier, where crew are being checked for swine flu as well.
Each Monday a cruise ship arrives on Phuket. Passengers and crew will be subject to a swine flu check until the virus scare is over.
Phuket Scanner Lights Up Flu Security Checks
Photo Album Concern about swine flu appears to be ebbing but with its low key spread to Asia, precautions are being taken at Phuket International Airport.
Phuket Scanner Lights Up Flu Security Checks
Phuket's Screen Stars Join Britney, Victoria, Paris
Photo Album Becoming a star of the big screen at Slaughterhouse Intersection on Phuket can lead to good money and a bright future in international publishing.
Phuket's Screen Stars Join Britney, Victoria, Paris
Wanted: More Phuket Risk-Takers, and Money
Opinion The campaign on the Great Barrier Reef for ''The Best Job in the World'' would have worked ideally on Phuket. The island needs great ideas of similar quality, and financial support.
Wanted: More Phuket Risk-Takers, and Money
Phuket Begins Climb to Asean Summit Success
It's Official Ready, set, go. The race has begun to ready the island and its people for a Asean Plus Six summit, plus spinoff benefits. The island's profile and income should gain a boost.
Phuket Begins Climb to Asean Summit Success
Two Thais and a German woman bound for Phuket were in quarantine in Bangkok today, with Asia being advised to stay alert for a ''second wave'' of the swine flu outbreak.
The German woman's high temperature was detected at Suvarnabhumi Airport while the Thais, both men, fell ill after returning from trips over the weekend.
The director of Phuket's Provincial Public Health, Dr Pongsawat Rattanasang, said that yesterday, a total of 1900 passengers and crew on the Super Star Virgo were checked.
One passenger, an Indian woman, showed symptoms of having flu. She had boarded the cruise ship in Singapore, the boat's last port of call before Phuket.
Dr Pongsawat said an examination showed the woman had a normal fever.
The killer virus has slowed its pace in North America, but World Health Organisation and medical experts remain on high alert.
Mexico, epicentre of the outbreak, claimed to have contained the H1N1 epidemic.
But WHO director general Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun said that while the first wave might be subsiding, the virus could return with a vengeance and ''would be the biggest of all outbreaks the world has faced in the 21st century''.
On Phuket, a theremoscan unit already on board the cruise liner was used to check passengers and crew yesterday.
''I was impressed with medical facilities on board,'' Dr Pongsawat said.
''They have one doctor and three nurses on the liner, an intensive care unit and an operating theatre.''
Yachts that arrive on Phuket have to first register at Chalong Pier, where crew are being checked for swine flu as well.
Each Monday a cruise ship arrives on Phuket. Passengers and crew will be subject to a swine flu check until the virus scare is over.
Phuket Scanner Lights Up Flu Security Checks
Photo Album Concern about swine flu appears to be ebbing but with its low key spread to Asia, precautions are being taken at Phuket International Airport.
Phuket Scanner Lights Up Flu Security Checks
Phuket's Screen Stars Join Britney, Victoria, Paris
Photo Album Becoming a star of the big screen at Slaughterhouse Intersection on Phuket can lead to good money and a bright future in international publishing.
Phuket's Screen Stars Join Britney, Victoria, Paris
Wanted: More Phuket Risk-Takers, and Money
Opinion The campaign on the Great Barrier Reef for ''The Best Job in the World'' would have worked ideally on Phuket. The island needs great ideas of similar quality, and financial support.
Wanted: More Phuket Risk-Takers, and Money
Phuket Begins Climb to Asean Summit Success
It's Official Ready, set, go. The race has begun to ready the island and its people for a Asean Plus Six summit, plus spinoff benefits. The island's profile and income should gain a boost.
Phuket Begins Climb to Asean Summit Success
For some real true stories about what happens on cruise ship, check out:
www.cruiseshipstories.com
Thanks,
Sean (former crew member)
Posted by Sean B. Halliday on August 20, 2009 00:18