CityNews – Public health and local government officials on Tuesday attended a training session and seminar on dealing with the deadly Ebola virus, which has killed thousands of people in West Africa.
A reminder to participants of Ebola’s deadliness. Photo: Weerasak Panyachod.
Members of the private sector and local residents also attended the event, which was held at the Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel.
Dr Surasing Wisarutrattana, deputy chief of Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office, said officials in Thailand were watchful after three cases were confirmed in the USA this month.
In Chiang Mai, he said, three people are currently being observed after arriving from at-risk countries. Another 13 people were observed for symptoms of Ebola for 21 days before being given the all-clear. Those considered at high risk were kept at two hospitals that have been prepared for possible Ebola patients – Nakornping and Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai.
Those travelling from at-risk countries are identified at the airport and data is sent to the provincial public health office, Dr Surasing said.
The current Ebola outbreak began late last year and has killed around 4,500 people – mainly in the West African countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. There have been no confirmed cases in Thailand so far.