Phuket Visa Run Border Port Faces Cholera Outbreak



PHUKET: An outbreak of cholera in Ranong, the Thai border port popular with Phuket expats making one-day visa runs to Burma, has alarmed local health authorities.

A Burmese cook in a restaurant who did not realise she had the highly infectious disasease was traced as the cause of 24 cases in the past week.

Four more people were admitted to Ranong Hospital today.

Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn of Public Health, Ranong, said every effort was being made to improve hygeine and sanitation in the port town.

A total of 98 people had come down with cholera so far this year, well above the total for all of last year.

Transmission of cholera is primarily due to the fecal contamination of food and water because of poor sanitation.