Burmese physicians have criticized the military regime over their handling of the outbreak of swine (H1N1) flu in Burma, and they are calling for greater public participation in the fight against the disease.
Dr Thiha Maung, director of the Thailand-based National Health and Education Committee told The Irrawaddy on Thursday: “From a medical point of view, swine flu is dangerous because it so easily transmitted.”
Burmese authorities have called the H1N1 influenza outbreak “human flu” in the Burmese language, and the official press has called it an imported disease, according to the doctor.
“This is a mistake. What we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg. We must have a health awareness campaign,” he said.
Dr Zaw Ye Myint, a veterinary surgeon in Rangoon, told The Irrawaddy: “The authorities are only making a show of fighting influenza. Instead they should be raising health awareness and encouraging the public to cooperate with health authorities.
“People have little faith in the regime’s health care system, and because they fear the authorities they are not willing to cooperate with the regime’s health officials,” he said.
State-run media have reported that authorities are taking preventive measures against the possible spread of the global “human flu” pandemic, advising all private clinics in the country to report or transfer patients suspected of influenza.
Dr Thiha Maung said, “Border areas are important, and the government should be helping people take precautionary measures against the flu.”
Speaking to The Irrawaddy, Dr Cynthia Maung, who runs the Mae Tao clinic in Mae Sot on the Thai-Burmese border, said on Thursday: “To be more effective combating swine flu, the Burmese authorities must cooperate with neighboring countries and international health organizations.”
The New Light of Myanmar, a state-run newspaper, reported on Thursday that a 57-year-old man who returned from Singapore on flight MI-512 on July 20 was infected with H1N1 influenza, bringing the number of reported cases in Burma to 10.
Seventy-four passengers on the flight and 131 airport staff are under surveillance at their homes, the newspaper said.
Four of the 10 flu patients diagnosed with flu have recovered and were discharged from hospital, the report added.
Dr Thiha Maung, director of the Thailand-based National Health and Education Committee told The Irrawaddy on Thursday: “From a medical point of view, swine flu is dangerous because it so easily transmitted.”
Burmese authorities have called the H1N1 influenza outbreak “human flu” in the Burmese language, and the official press has called it an imported disease, according to the doctor.
“This is a mistake. What we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg. We must have a health awareness campaign,” he said.
Dr Zaw Ye Myint, a veterinary surgeon in Rangoon, told The Irrawaddy: “The authorities are only making a show of fighting influenza. Instead they should be raising health awareness and encouraging the public to cooperate with health authorities.
“People have little faith in the regime’s health care system, and because they fear the authorities they are not willing to cooperate with the regime’s health officials,” he said.
State-run media have reported that authorities are taking preventive measures against the possible spread of the global “human flu” pandemic, advising all private clinics in the country to report or transfer patients suspected of influenza.
Dr Thiha Maung said, “Border areas are important, and the government should be helping people take precautionary measures against the flu.”
Speaking to The Irrawaddy, Dr Cynthia Maung, who runs the Mae Tao clinic in Mae Sot on the Thai-Burmese border, said on Thursday: “To be more effective combating swine flu, the Burmese authorities must cooperate with neighboring countries and international health organizations.”
The New Light of Myanmar, a state-run newspaper, reported on Thursday that a 57-year-old man who returned from Singapore on flight MI-512 on July 20 was infected with H1N1 influenza, bringing the number of reported cases in Burma to 10.
Seventy-four passengers on the flight and 131 airport staff are under surveillance at their homes, the newspaper said.
Four of the 10 flu patients diagnosed with flu have recovered and were discharged from hospital, the report added.
