The Disease Control Department is acquiring additional lots of thermo scanners to install at airports an border entry points into Thailand. This is part of the Thai government surveillance measures in prevention of the H1N1 virus entering or spreading into the country.

Director General of the department, Mom Luang Somchai Chakraphan, told reporters during his visit to Phuket to follow up and observe the operation at the Phuket Provincial Health Office. He said he was pleased with the measures so far and praised health volunteers for their hard work in assisting authorities, according to Andaman News.

Dr. Somchai stated that the department is now purchasing additional scanners and one will be sent down to Phuket, as requested, to enhance the scanning capacity. He also reaffirms that the country has sufficient Thamifu in stock if the disease is found to spread in Thailand.

On the local side, the Provincial Chief Doctor Pongsawas Ratanasang reported the scanning results at Phuket International Airport during 28 April – 29 May which totaled 27,000 with 9 people suspected and undergoing checking.

All cases are confirmed to be just normal flu so he reaffirms that no case has been detected in Phuket.

An additional Thai citizen has been pronounced the fifth patient infected with the A (H1N1) virus on Tuesday.

Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Prat Boonyawongwiroj stated that the fifth Influenza A (H1N1) patient was identified as an 18-year-old female, who returned from the United States on May 27 and developed flu-like symptoms with runny nose and a slight cough before being admitted into hospital for medical treatment.

The total number of confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) cases in Thailand currently stands at 5, all of which involved people who returned from other infected countries. No fatalities or domestic spreads have been found in the Kingdom.