Thread: NZ woman in Thailand food poisoning death

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Originally Posted by KAPPA

German, 57, dies in Phuket after severe vomiting

Looks like the farang poisoner has left Chiang Mai for a short holiday in Phuket.

Just noticed the date

A time traveller perhaps....

Date notated at top/ Pertinent as this death 2 weeks after Phi Phi is all but forgotten.

In fact they're ahead of the game if this is anything to go by.

Thailand under pressure to investigate five tourist deaths

The UK, New Zealand and US are reportedly applying diplomatic pressure on Thailand to investigate the deaths of tourists in the northern resort of Chiang Mai following revelation of a fifth fatality within six weeks.

Four people, including a retired British couple, a young woman from New Zealand and a Thai tour guide died within less than three weeks of each other after being taken ill at the two-star Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai last month. It has now emerged that a fifth tourist, a 33-year-old American woman, died in the town in similar circumstances, though she was not staying at the same hotel.

The retired British couple in their 70s, George and Eileen Everitt from Lincolnshire, had checked in to the hotel on February 9 and were found dead in their room 10 days later.

It later emerged that a 47-year-old Thai woman had died in the bathroom of her hotel on February 3 and the following day a New Zealand woman had died after she and two friends who were staying at the hotel fell ill. Her friends recovered.

In an interview with Asia Pacific News the hotel's acting manager Vinai Julsiri claimed the deaths, which had initially been blamed on food poisoning, were a coincidence, but Thailand has come under pressure from the New Zealand and UK authorities to carry out further investigations, especially since the discovery of the fifth death.

The father of the New Zealand victim, Sarah Carter, is calling on the Thai and New Zealand authorities to close the Downtown Inn hotel, which is featured by Travel Republic in the UK, until a thorough investigation has been made.

Initial reports suggested Ms Carter and her friends had eaten toxic seaweed at Chiang Mai's night market and police said there were no signs of toxic substances or drugs in the bodies of those who died at the Downtown Inn and no signs of fighting or attack. They are still waiting for the post-mortem results.

And it gets better... from the Post:

CHIANG MAI : The Disease Control Department has asked the World Health Organisation to help examine a series of mysterious deaths in Chiang Mai after the Coxsackie B virus was found in the body of a New Zealand tourist who died there last month.
The department insisted the virus might not be the cause of death of Sarah Carter, 23, who died at Chiang Mai Hospital on Feb 6, or four other people who have died since New Year and there should be no panic about a viral epidemic in the province.
Four of the five people who died stayed at the Downtown Inn Hotel in Chiang Mai. They all passed away over a period of 16 days.
Two foreign tourists and a Thai tour guide were found dead at the hotel last month. A third foreigner staying at the hotel later died in hospital.
A fifth case of a recent unexplained death in the province has since come to light, though she stayed somewhere else.
American Mariam Soraya Vorster, 33, died on Jan 11 after being admitted to a private hospital in the province. Her case came to light on Wednesday.
Vorster's husband Tony Pandolo told the New Zealand Herald that his wife fell ill with symptoms of food poisoning before she died.
Vorster did not stay at the Downtown Inn Hotel, but at another hotel in the province's central district.
Police have ruled out foul play in the deaths, but health authorities are now investigating other possible causes. One theory is that the victims may have contracted the Coxsackie B virus, possibly from eating contaminated food.
The department has invited the New Zealand embassy to take part in the investigation into Carter's death.
Pasakorn Akarasewi, director of the Bureau of Epidemiology, said the Coxsackie B virus can pass from human to human. It causes stomach upsets and in some cases heart damage and death. It is not common in Thailand.
Dr Pasakorn said Chiang Mai health authorities have inspected the hotel where the New Zealand tourist died, and surrounding areas.
Carter was the third person to have died from "mysterious reasons" in the province since January.
The second death was Thai tour guide Waraporn Yingmahasaranont, 47, who died in her room at the Downtown Hotel on Feb 3.
British couple George Everitt, 78, and Eileen Everitt, 74, who died in the same hotel as Waraporn and Carter on Feb 19, were the fourth and fifth cases.
Chiang Mai provincial health office said a preliminary report showed Vorster, the first known suspicious death but the most recent to come to light, had suffered from inflammation of the heart muscle although officials have yet to reach a conclusion on the cause of death.
Surasi Wisarutarat, Chiang Mai deputy chief health officer, said the health office sent tissue samples from Vorster's body to a lab in the US. The results should be known in about a month.
As for the British couple, Dr Surasi said authorities could say only that they died of an acute heart attack.
Epidemiologists were unable to investigate the case of tour guide Waraporn as his body has been cremated.
Chiang Mai governor ML Panadda Disakul said he had met the New Zealand charge d'affaires and explained the issue. He said provincial authorities had formed a working group to investigate the cases and were waiting for the results of medical examinations.
Authorities are concerned that the mysterious deaths will affect Chiang Mai tourism which has only just recovered from last year's political turbulence.
Local authorities will step up measures to control hygiene in shops, restaurants, markets, stalls and street vendors.
Stricter control will also be imposed on guest houses, apartments and boutique hotels because most visitors to Chiang Mai stay at these places.
"We will work closely with the private sector to restore the image of the province before the Songkran festival next month," the governor said.

And that is what you get you when the image of Thailand suffers bad press internationally.

Good to see some progress. The last bit I've highlighted though: Oh yes, a "crackdown". Always works, that.

Originally Posted by KAPPA

Date notated at top/ Pertinent as this death 2 weeks after Phi Phi is all but forgotten.

As mentioned before, I think there is a point here worth investigating. Doubt it will be though

Originally Posted by KAPPA

NOTICE From May 15, 2009 two weeks after Phi Phi Laleena deaths

Phuket NEWS: German, 57, dies in Phuket after severe vomiting

German, 57, dies in Phuket after severe vomiting



A source at the hospital said the course of Mr Hermannweid’s rapid demise was consistent with infection by the Eltor-Okawa cholera bacterium that also causes severe diarrhea. However, the source warned that it was impossible to know for sure without a full autopsy.

I doubt cholera. Cholera is mainly about diarrhea.


"After a 24- to 48-hour incubation period, symptoms begin with the sudden onset of painless watery diarrhea that may quickly become voluminous and is often followed by vomiting. The patient may experience accompanying abdominal cramps. Fever is typically absent. The diarrhea has a "rice water" appearance and a fishy odor. In patients with severe disease, the stool volume can exceed 250 mL/kg in the first 24 hours. Without replacement of fluids and electrolytes, hypovolemic shock and death ensue." (from emedicine)

its been reported that travellers are recommended to eat only hot food,recently stayed at 2hotels in bkk and 1 in khon kaen all the breakfast in each hotel was stone cold and these were all 4star.

Sherlock, you have been provided with the necessary info as to why there will never ever be a conclusive verdict of the events.

I must be missing something. Did you think I was expecting arrests, or the health issue to be solved?

NO it wasn't cholera, there were no tests at all and the hospital staffer was just offering her opinion in way of explanation in a very unprofessional manner.
No surprise there.

People are dying, from something that makes them vomit and expands their heart.

That virus was found in one woman, Ms Carter, apparently a very common virus that can cause no symptoms in many. I doubt its related at this point.

Googling that CDC leak find link;.

http://pr.ddc.moph.go.th/pnews/showimgdetil.php?id=243

"Common features of the illness among these patients include vomiting without diarrhea and lack of respiratory symptoms..."

Disease Outbreak News

Myocarditis cases in Chiangmai – update 1 (11 March 2011)

On 9 February, the Department of Disease Control was requested by the Chiangmai Provincial Health Office to assist in an investigation into myocarditis cases. The joint investigation team found four clinically-confirmed cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and another two patients with mild symptoms. These six patients were among three separate groups of tourists visiting Chiang Mai, Thailand, between 9 January and 4 February 2011.

All were young women aged 23-33 years and were from the United States (1), Canada (1), France (2) and New Zealand (3).


Of these six patients three died (one each from the USA, France and New Zealand). Five of them became ill while visiting Chiang Mai and one developed symptoms three days before arriving there. Common features of the illness among these patients include vomiting without diarrhea and lack of respiratory symptoms. One patient had a fever but all others were afebrile.
Extensive epidemiological investigation has not revealed any common exposures across the three groups. Laboratory testing of blood and stools to date has not revealed anything

except for evidence of infection by an echovirus in one patient and by a Coxsackie virus in another patient from New Zealand.
Autopsies on two of the dead patients (American and French) were done by forensic medical expert of Chiang Mai University. The autopsies found nothing abnormal except for inflammation of the heart muscle. The Department of Disease Control has shared this information with the WHO and US CDC offices in Bangkok, as well as the New Zealand Embassy and the International Health Regulation (IHR) focal points of France and the European Community.


In a separate episode, since 3 February, there were three other deaths in the same hotel where the three New Zealanders stayed. This included an elderly British couple and a 47 year old Thai woman. As these three deaths occurred outside the hospital, the police took charge of the investigation. The autopsies of the two elderly Britons found a high degree of coronary occlusion while the examination of the Thai woman found no inflammation of the heart muscle or any other clear evidence to explain the cause of her death.


Myocarditis is a well known illness that may result from many possible etiologies such as viral infection, bacterial infection and toxins and can be found everywhere from time to time. However, four cases among young healthy adults in the same location is rare. The Department of Disease Control will continue its intensive investigation and collaborate with the WHO, IHR authorities and embassy contact persons of the USA, France and New Zealand to determine the causes of myocarditis in all these cases, which may be of the same or of different etiologies.
While the causes of the illnesses remain unknown at this time, travelers are recommended to take general preventive health measures that include eating only hot food, drinking clean water and taking enough rest and exercise. Those
who experience severe sudden multiple vomiting with or without diarrhea, should seek medical attention immediately.


___

Originally Posted by guyinthailand

Originally Posted by KAPPA

NOTICE From May 15, 2009 two weeks after Phi Phi Laleena deaths

Phuket NEWS: German, 57, dies in Phuket after severe vomiting

German, 57, dies in Phuket after severe vomiting



A source at the hospital said the course of Mr Hermannweid’s rapid demise was consistent with infection by the Eltor-Okawa cholera bacterium that also causes severe diarrhea. However, the source warned that it was impossible to know for sure without a full autopsy.

I doubt cholera. Cholera is mainly about diarrhea.


"After a 24- to 48-hour incubation period, symptoms begin with the sudden onset of painless watery diarrhea that may quickly become voluminous and is often followed by vomiting. The patient may experience accompanying abdominal cramps. Fever is typically absent. The diarrhea has a "rice water" appearance and a fishy odor. In patients with severe disease, the stool volume can exceed 250 mL/kg in the first 24 hours. Without replacement of fluids and electrolytes, hypovolemic shock and death ensue." (from emedicine)

It's taken long enough, but at least now they seem to be taking it seriously.

Let's hope they throw the required resources at the problem, better late than never.

.. fits every symptom, reports of cold , ( blue colour of bodies as reported from earlier deaths 2009, no facts yet on current outbreak) vomiting escalating into dehydration, respiratory distress and death.


Tetrahydrozoline poisoning

URL of this page: Tetrahydrozoline poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Tetrahydrozoline is a form of a medicine called imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eye drops and nasal sprays. Tetrahydrozoline poisoning occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally swallows this product.


Tetrahydrozoline poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia


Symptoms

• Airways and lungs
  • Difficulty breathing
  • No breathing
• Eyes and skin
  • Blurred vision
  • Blue lips and fingernails
  • Change in pupil size
• Heart
  • High blood pressure (at first)
  • Low blood pressure (later)
  • Rapid heartbeat
• Stomach and intestines
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Nervous system
  • Coma
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Nervousness
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
• Other
  • Low body temperature

Home Care

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.


More at link

I am surprised that more have not died. Sea food is always dodgy. Algae blooms can and do cause deaths when shell is harvested from these areas. Sea food away from the ocean needs very special handling, it spoils quickly, in Thai heat I would never touch it.

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Tom,

Erm, who mentioned embassies?

You didn't really think the State Dept or the FBI was going to send over a team to investigate did you? What other British, American or New Zealand authorities were you thinking of? The Embassies represent them in Thailand - but they are not interested in the welfare of their citizens here. The FBI has an office on Wireless Road - you think he's looking into this affair? Nope - he'll be investigating commercial fraud that hurts US companies, or chasing the proceeds of drug lords or arms dealers.

Pretty much true. Most US government employees are there to collect a paycheck and eventually a pension. Helping their fellow citizens -you know, the ones paying taxes and therefore their salaries- is an inconvience. Unless the citizen in need is really connected, all the assistance given will be along the lines of a list of attorneys or undertakes to call.

On the other hand, if a Thai dies of food poisioning in the US, I doubt that the Thai government takes much interest in the case. Unless its a well connected Hi So type.

Sad but its just the way it is...

On the other hand, if a Thai dies of food poisioning in the US, I doubt that the Thai government takes much interest in the case. Unless its a well connected Hi So type.

No, but if six died like this, the CDC would probably get involved without the Thai government even asking, and you can bet your arse the Thais would make all the right diplomatic noises.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

At a press conference in Bangkok yesterday, Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disakul said: "We have to admit that these deaths coming one after another are nothing more than coincidence.

"We have done and will continue to do our utmost to make tourists confident in our city."

Top that if you can, other major tourists destinations.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

On the other hand, if a Thai dies of food poisioning in the US, I doubt that the Thai government takes much interest in the case. Unless its a well connected Hi So type.

No, but if six died like this, the CDC would probably get involved without the Thai government even asking, and you can bet your arse the Thais would make all the right diplomatic noises.

I hope you are right, but I don't have much faith in governments protecting their citizens when they travel abroad.

^ or when they stay at home.

apologies if this has been posted already ?

THE revelation of a sixth death and the results of an investigation by Thailand's Department of Disease Control has shed new light on the series of mysterious fatalities in Chiang Mai.

The sixth death involved a Frenchwoman - one of two who fell sick, a media release from the department says. It highlighted the exceptional nature of a complaint that appears to have struck down six young women aged 23-33 between January 9 and February 4, killing three of them.

Young French Tourist's Death No. 6 in Chiang Mai Link - Phuket Wan