A 9-year-old American boy tested positive for the influenza A(H1N1) virus on Sunday, the second case identified in Laos , health officials confirmed yesterday.
Officials said the boy had displayed symptoms of fever on June 17. He left California on June 19, transferring through Japan 's Narita Airport followed by Thailand 's Suvarnabhumi airport on June 20.
He arrived in Vientiane on June 21, where his above-average body temperature was identified by a thermal scanner at Wattay International Airport .
He was tested for A(H1N1) and found to be positive for the virus.
The boy has received treatment at Mittaphab Hospital and samples taken from his mother are being tested. Both his parents are being monitored.
The family comes from Utah and are here on holiday.
No suspected cases have been reported among other passengers who travelled on the same flight to Vientiane . However, health officials are trying to contact two people who sat near the boy on the plane and flew on to Savannakhet.
An Australian man who tested positive for A/H1N1 last week has recovered but is still a little weak.
National Emerging Infec-tious Disease Coordination Office Head Dr Bounlay Phommasack said the alert level in Laos for the virus would be maintained at phase three despite the second confirmed case.
“We have discussed the matter with the World Health Organisation and we agreed the alert level should stay the same, because human-to-human transmission has not been reported in Laos ,” he said.
However, Dr Bounlay accepted Laos was at an elevated risk as human-to-human transmission had been reported in neighbouring countries.
Health officials said although the virus had not been as severe in impact as seasonal influenza, it was important that everyone took steps to prevent the illness spreading.
Influenza can be very harmful, especially to young children, the elderly, and those who have an underlying health condition. Dr Bounlay yesterday summoned an emergency meeting with the relevant sectors inclu-ding representatives from associations representing hoteliers and guesthouse operators, and tuk-tuk and taxi drivers. The meeting aimed to launch information campaigns in public areas such as bus stations, schools and factories.
Participants agreed to provide information using various methods including public announcements over loudspeakers, posters, and spots on television and radio.
This information will explain about the virus, how it is spread and how to prevent it by practising good hygiene.
A monitoring and assessment unit will be formed to ensure all activities are effective.
The Ministry of Health has drawn up a plan to deal with a possible future pandemic.
In Australia , the average rate of H1N1 infection has been 48 people per day, while much larger China has reported an infection rate of 7.5 people per day.
Dr Bounlay said the spread of the virus in Laos might not be as widespread as in other countries because Laos had a small population. In addition, plans have been made to deal with the virus before it becomes widespread.
Earlier in June, the WHO declared the occurrence of a global pandemic due to the worldwide spread of the new virus. First reports of infection with the virus came from Mexico in March, prior to its spread around the world.
The latest WHO figures relating to A(H1N1) were released on June 19, with 44,287 confirmed cases resulting in 180 deaths.
what was the flight no? how many passenager on the same plane as them? it is very important to track those passengers and inspect them how they feel at least 7 days. but i think it is not easy for government to find them?
