Commentary
Suspect H5N1 Cluster in Phichit Thailand
Recombinomics Commentary 12:43
July 30, 2008
Five people admitted to Sam Ngam Hospital in Phichit with bird flulike symptoms have all had mysterious deaths of poultry near their homes.
They were Krisada Thiangyu, six, Nadda Thiangyu, 10, and Taptim Phromsri, 62, from Tambon Noen Por; Wanna Tolamlam, 70, from Tambon Nong Son, and an unnamed fiveyearold boy.
The five reportedly touched dead fowl with their bare hands and a few days later developed fevers, coughing, exhaustion and breathing problems.
The above comments describe a geographic cluster of five suspect H5N1 cases in Phichit, Thailand. The names of the cases suggest there may also be a familial cluster within the geographic cluster.
The last WHO confirmed H5N1 case in Thailand died two years ago in August, 2006 after developing symptoms on July, 14, 2006. However, the patient tested negative for H5N1 on nine tests but was confirmed H5N1 positive on autopsy samples.
More information on these cases would be useful.
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