International conference on infectious disease control

BANGKOK, Aug 2 (TNA) Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) hosted an international conference on Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia (CCIDA) to prepare joint efforts to control epidemics together with other cities. The conference was set at Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park Hotel on Aug 1-3. Tokyo initiated CCIDA to let representatives from member countries exchange information on infectious diseases and control measures. It involves 12 cities namely Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, New Delhi, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Taipei, Tomsk and Yangon. They have taken turns to organize the conference since 2005. Opening the latest session, Bangkok deputy governor Thaweesak Lertpraphan said efforts through CCIDA were essential to cope with the transmission of infectious diseases as people were traveling among cities for businesses and leisure. According to him, CCIDA serves the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s serious efforts to control HIV and Aids. From the session, he hoped CCIDA members would present their experiences and measures related to infectious diseases including dengue hemorrhagic fever, tuberculosis and HIV and benefit from applying useful information and guidelines. Participants in the conference would also visit the Service Workers in Group Foundation in Thailand that conducted blood tests for sexually transmitted diseases, Mr Thaweesak said. (TNA)