“Quarantine sign” sparks epidemic fears in Thai North

BANGKOK, June 2 (TNA) - Growing epidemic fears have sparked in Thailand’s northern Uttaradit province after military officers recently put up a sign outside Fort Phichaidaphak ospital declaring the hospital a quarantine area until June 5, amid reports that many soldiers fell ill and were taken to the hospital. Local villagers have called for agencies concerned to clarify the matter so that they can prepare for any, probably, disease outbreak. Uttaradit Governor Yothin Samutkhiri confirmed with the Thai News Agency (TNA) via phone today that the illness is now under control, saying doctors from Bangkok's King Mongkut Hospital have initially found that it should be an influenza virus although they cannot yet confirm the viral strain. Meanwhile, 3rd Army Area Command Spokesman Colonel Terdsak Ngamsanong denied that a major outbreak has occurred in Uttaradit, noting that only a conscripted solider who is suffering from a respiratory disease has now received treatment at the hospital and he should be allowed to leave the hospital soon. According to the spokesperson, the conscripted solider suffered from a flu-like system during a daily training before he was recently taken to the hospital. Seven other conscripts were also sent to the hospital for a medical check-up after suffering from a similar symptom, but they were all later allowed to leave the hospital. (TNA)