Thailand: `Bird Flu' Case Actually Leptospirosis

 

# 2345

 

 

As mentioned last night in this blog, despite the media calling this incident a `suspected bid flu case',  Leptospirosis was also a possibility.

 

Today we have confirmation that the 54-year-old father, and his son, have both tested positive for Leptospirosis.

 

A hat tip to Dutchy on Flutrackers for finding this announcement.

 

 

 

Bird Flu Suspected Death Is Actually Leptospirosis

UPDATE : 1 October 2008

The Public Health Ministry has confirmed that leptospirosis was the cause of a Phichit local's death this morning, not the dreaded bird flu. The deceased's 12-year-old son, who also has leptospirosis, remains under doctor's care.


Public health officials have begun an investigation after a 54-year old man reportedly died from the bird flu in Phichit Province, while his son remains under the doctor's close watch.


Police found that the deceased was feeding ducks and he and his son became sick after the ducks began to die.


Both patients were sent to Nakhon Sawan to recuperate and have doctors figure out the cause of their illness. However, blood tests on both the father and son found that the two contracted leptospirosis, not the H5N1 virus which causes the bird flu.


Thailand has been hit by flooding in all parts of the country and leptospirosis is commonly contracted through wading barefoot in floodwaters.

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