MYSTERIOUS CHIANG MAI DEATHS

[Admin]

Thailand travel health warning after sixth poisoning death
The Southland Times 2011-03-18

New Zealanders travelling to Chiang Mai in Thailand should take preventive health measures following six mystery deaths in the city, including New Zealander Sarah Carter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) says.

Ms Carter, 23, became ill last month while staying at the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai, and died a day later.

Early reports suggested the cause of her death was toxic seaweed she had eaten, but food poisoning tests proved inconclusive.

Since her death a further five people have been reported as having died in similar circumstances around the same time.

A report by Thailand's Department of Disease Control found Ms Carter was one of three people to die as a result of myocarditis between January 9 and February 4 in Chiang Mai - the others were American Soraya Vorster, 33, and a Frenchwoman aged between 23 and 33.

An elderly British couple and a 47-year-old Thai woman staying in the same hotel as Ms Carter also died around the same time, in similar circumstances.

Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disakul said their deaths were coincidence.

MFAT said in a travel advisory issued yesterday evening it was aware of the six unexplained deaths.

"The cause of death is unknown, and the results to date are inconclusive although there has been speculative media comment linking the deaths to local food markets."

The advisory warned travellers to take general preventive health measures, including paying attention to personal hygiene, eating only hot food and drinking clean water.

"Those who experience severe sudden multiple vomiting with or without diarrhoea, should seek medical attention immediately.

"The Governor and authorities in Chiang Mai have asserted that Chiang Mai is safe for tourists.

"However, in light of the lack of any clear explanation of the recent deaths, it is up to individual travellers themselves to determine the risks of travelling there."

- NZPA

Source:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/national-news/4783969/Thailand-travel-health-warning

[Admin]

Another story I found:

Tourist deaths in Chiang Mai just a ‘coincidence’
Andrew-Drummond.com 2011-03-08


CHIANG MAI: -- The deaths of two Britons, a young New Zealander and a Thai tourist guide, within a few days of each other in the same hotel was just ‘a coincidence’ Thai authorities claimed today.

An elderly British couple who died together in Room 423 of the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai, died within minutes of each of heart attacks, and the case has been closed.

But tests were still being conducted into the death 23-yr-old New Zealander Sarah Carter, who died in a local hospital, after she and three friends were taken seriously ill in Room 516 Downtown Hotel in the northern Thai capital.

And further tests were still being conducted on a Thai tourist guide Waraporn Yingmahasaranont, whose body was found next door in the bathroom of Room 518 of the same hotel earlier.

Read full story:
http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2011/03/08/tourist-deaths-in-chiang-mai-just-a-coincidence/

[boloa]

Thailand travel health warning after sixth poisoning death

I thought it was 5,seems to be one a week,how strange 

Anyone else for MSG theory 

[nookiebear]

Thats the 1st time a french woman has been mentioned!!

[Admin]

CHIANG MAI: DOWNTOWN INN DEATHS

Bedbug toxin 'likely' cause of Sarah Carter's death
The Dominion Post and NZPA 2011-05-08

CHIANG MAI HOLIDAY TRAGEDY: Sarah Carter.

Traces of chlorpyrifos, which is used to kill bedbugs but has been banned in other countries, have been found in samples that current affairs television show 60 Minutes had independently tested.

Carter, 23, died and her friends Emma Langlands and Amanda Eliason became gravely ill while on holiday in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

A United Nations scientist, Ron McDowall, said there was a strong likelihood Carter died from excessive exposure to the substance, which causes identical symptoms to those suffered by the trio as well as several other tourists who died after staying at the hotel.

The fact traces of chlorpyrifos were found three months after Carter's death and after the room was cleaned suggested there was a high concentration when she was staying there.

"I think she has been killed by an overzealous sprayer who's been acting on the instructions of the hotel owner to deal with bed bugs," McDowall said.

Even a slight mistake in the dosage of chlorpyrifos, which has been banned for indoor use in many countries, could be lethal, he said.

McDowall checked his theory with other experts from New Zealand and Italy, who supported his belief that Carter was killed by the chemical.

"Their reaction was that it's quite clear that it's chlorpyrifos poisoning... the symptoms are the same, the pathology is the same and the proxy indicates that the chemical was present in the room."

A Thailand police inspector said police were looking into the possibility the tourists were killed by over exposure to pest control chemicals.

Carter's father Richard Carter said it was "good to get an answer" about how his daughter died.

"It's still pretty horrific that they have such low standards that that can happen," he said.

Sarah Carter's mother, Anna Carter, said she hoped action would be taken so other tourists would not die.

[nookiebear]

So many substances that are banned in most countries are still openly used here

[Vombatus]

So many substances that are banned in most countries are still openly used here

Including Chang ?


It always makes me smile when the EVA Air (also Thai I think) attendants go round with the cabin spray before a flight - you can see the abject fear on their faces.

[manupete]

Toxic death theory 'carries little weight'

Confusion still shrouds mystery of dead tourists

Newspaper section: News
 
Thai experts are unconvinced by an independent investigation which suggested that a 23-year-old New Zealand tourist died from excessive exposure to a lethal toxin used to kill bedbugs at a Chiang Mai hotel.

A toxic substances expert from the Public Health Ministry and the Department of Agriculture said they did not think chlorpyrifos - which is used in insecticide sprays - was the cause of the death of Sarah Carter.

Although the experts confirmed Thailand has not banned the substance, approval is needed before it is imported or exported.
Carter died on Feb 6, and her friends Emma Langlands and Amanda Eliason became gravely ill while they were on holiday in the Downtown Inn Hotel in Chiang Mai.

Five people died from unexplained causes in Chiang Mai over a 16-day period after New Year. Four stayed at the Downtown Inn Hotel.

The mystery over Carter's death resurfaced recently after an investigation commissioned by the New Zealand TV show 60 minutes found traces of the potentially lethal toxin in the Downtown Inn where the tourists stayed.

UN scientist Ron McDowall said there was a strong likelihood Carter died from excessive exposure to the substance.

The other four who died after staying at the hotel experienced identical symptoms to those suffered by Carter.

Chiang Mai Public Health Office deputy chief Surasing Visaruthrat told the Bangkok Post that although the authorities had not yet ruled out all possible causes of the deaths, the bedbug insecticide assumption "carries little weight".

Thorough checks conducted by the doctors when the three tourists were admitted to the hospital found no traces of insecticides, he said.

An autopsy performed by Maharaj Hospital also found no toxic substance residue. The doctors suspected Carter died from food poisoning, according to a Chiang Mai police report.

"We can't jump to a conclusion that toxin exposure was the cause of the death because the substance was allegedly found in the hotel room alone, not in the victim's body," Dr Surasing said.

Dr Surasing yesterday chaired a meeting of the investigation team. The meeting, attended by doctors and experts from various agencies, ended with no conclusion on the deaths.

Dr Surasing said the team would meet again after receiving test results of samples collected from the victims' bodies. The samples were sent for testing at laboratories in the United States and Japan.

Meanwhile, an official from the Department of Agriculture said Thailand did not ban chlorpyrifos, which is also used as an ingredient in insecticides for use on farms.

"It is hard to believe that a bedbug spray containing chlorpyrifos would be able to kill people unless a large amount of the chemical got into the body," said the official, who asked not to be named.

The official said chlorpyrifos is easily dissipated in the air, which means it causes no ill effects to the environment.

Industrial Work Department's hazardous substances control bureau director Mongkol Pruekwatana said chlorpyrifos is a hazardous substance Type 3 under the hazardous substance act, which requires approval for manufacturing, importing and exporting."The company that used the substance for pest control services might have imported it as powder, mixed it with water and used it to spray termites, resulting in leftover residue on beds," Mr Mongkol said.

[manupete]

Hotel denies using bug killer spray

The manager of the Downtown Inn Hotel in Chiang Mai yesterday denied the hotel has been using a bedbug killer containing chlorpyrifos.

His comments followed reports in the New Zealand media that an independent investigation had found traces of chlorpyrifos, a potentially lethal toxin used to kill bedbugs, in samples from hotel rooms where guests had developed fatal illnesses and some died either right in their hotel rooms or elsewhere.

Thanthep Bunkaeo said Downtown Inn Hotel, which is in Muang district, had stopped using the bedbug killer a long time ago.

He insisted there was no chlorpyrifos in any of the hotel rooms.

Earlier, the findings from an independent investigation were reported on the New Zealand television programme 60 Minutes.

The investigators noted that seven guests who had stayed at the hotel and died later on might have died because of high levels of pesticide in their hotel rooms.

Investigators found traces of chlorpyrifos on bed linen in one of the hotel rooms. They assumed the toxic chemical was in a pesticide spray as chlorpyrifos is a common mixture in pesticides available in Asia.

The symptoms of chlorpyrifos poisoning include nausea, fatigue, muscle contraction and chest pain. In critical cases, the symptoms can be as serious as losing consciousness and stopping breathing.

The first guest who died at the Downtown Inn Hotel was Waraporn Yingmahasaranont, 48, a tour guide.

On Feb 7, another guest, Sarah Carter, 23, a student from New Zealand who stayed at the hotel, died of what was initially thought to be food poisoning at Chiang Mai Hospital. Her friends, Amanda Eliason, 24, and Emma Langlands, 23, became gravely ill. The two recovered and travelled safely back to New Zealand later on. After that, on Feb 19, a British couple, George Everitt, 78, and Eileen Everitt, 74, died of heart attacks in their room at the same hotel.

[isanbirder]

Since nobody seems to have the remotest idea what caused the deaths, New Zealand seems to be over-reacting.

MSG can produce nasty symptoms (I've experienced them) but is not limited to the Downtown Inn, Alan.

[urleft]

should bring back DDT

[nookiebear]

Any more Deaths??

[manupete]

Governor dismisses bedbug spray link

Published: 13/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

CHIANG MAI : There is no medical evidence to confirm claims a bedbug killer containing chlorpyrifos was responsible for the deaths of guests at a Chiang Mai hotel, the province's governor, ML Panadda Disakul, says.


 He made the statement after meeting foreign diplomats and representatives of foreign consulates based in the northern province.
 ML Panadda said there was not enough medical information to support the claims.
 He said the investigation will continue and the United States and Japan will send the results of their findings into the cause of the deaths to Thailand.
 A team of doctors will release the findings. Samples collected from the victims' bodies were sent for testing at laboratories in the US and Japan.
 ML Panadda criticised foreign media for exaggerating the news. He said Chiang Mai authorities will do all they can to clarify the matter and uncover the truth. Police are launching an investigation into the matter, he said, adding that the incident has damaged the image of Chiang Mai as a tourist attraction.
 Dr Surasing Visaruthrat, of the Chiang Mai public health office, said public health officials are stepping up efforts to investigate the remaining evidence.
 He said health authorities wanted to perform autopsies on the bodies of the victims, but their relatives denied the request and took back the bodies.
 Earlier, there were reports in the New Zealand media that an investigation had found traces of chlorpyrifos, a potentially lethal toxin used to kill bedbugs, in samples from hotel rooms where guests had developed fatal illnesses and some died either in their hotel rooms or elsewhere.
 The findings from an independent investigation were reported on the New Zealand television programme, 60 Minutes.
 The programme said seven guests who had stayed at the hotel and died later on might have died because of high levels of pesticide in their hotel rooms.
 Investigators found traces of chlorpyrifos on bed linen in one of the hotel rooms.
 They assumed the toxic chemical was in a pesticide spray as chlorpyrifos is a common mixture in pesticides available in Asia.
 The symptoms of chlorpyrifos poisoning include nausea, fatigue, muscle contraction and chest pain. In critical cases, the symptoms can be as serious as losing consciousness and stopping breathing.
 The first guest who died at the Downtown Inn Hotel was Waraporn Yingmahasaranont, 48, a tour guide.
 On Feb 7, another guest, Sarah Carter, 23, a student from New Zealand who stayed at the hotel, died of what was initially thought to be food poisoning at Chiang Mai Hospital.
 Her friends, Amanda Eliason, 24, and Emma Langlands, 23, became gravely ill. The two recovered and travelled safely back to New Zealand later on. After that, on Feb 19, a British couple, George Everitt, 78, and Eileen Everitt, 74, died of heart attacks in their room at the same hotel.

[nookiebear]

Amazing,,,only NOW are the police launching an investigation

[Admin]

Probe team narrows possibilities
By Kwandao Jitpana
The Nation 2011-05-13
CHIANG MAI

Health official says finding exact cause of deaths may be impossible

The investigation into the Downtown Inn Hotel deaths hadn't determine the exact cause of death yet but now focused on three possible causes: infection, chemical or environment, and would get experts' help to determine the cause of deaths, it was announced at the press conference yesterday.

This move followed headlines about a New Zealand tourist Sarah Carter's mysterious death especially the New Zealand TV3's "60 Minutes" programme, which suggested the chemical spray chlorpyrifos that kills bed bugs was responsible for the death of Sarah Carter, as well as six others who were reported to have died in similar circumstances since January.

At the Chiang Mai Public Health Office yesterday, Chiang Mai Governor Panadda Diskul presided over the threehourlong closedoor conference with Chiang Mai health authority and consulate representatives of 10 countries including Todd Cleaver from the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok.

In the press conference later, Chiang Mai Public Health chief Dr Wattana Kanchanakamon said they had a lot of meetings and get helps from experts including those from the World Health Organisation and Japan's Osaka City to determine the cause and what to do next.

He said they had Carter's stomach liquid sample that needed to be retested for credibility before reporting the result to those involved without any hiding or covering up attempts.

Wattana's deputy Dr Surasing Wisarutrat said that the probe had progressed half way now and the initial possible causes (infection, chemicals, crime, drug and environment) were narrowed to focus on infection, infection and environment - all of which needed further inspections. Surasing said the team would also be happy to accept any help in term of experts and also warned that public should not expect too much because a disease investigation might not definitely find the exact cause of the death sometimes. He said the team would also have a teleconference over the case with foreign experts at 6pm yesterday. He said the hotelroom where Carter stayed prior to her death was also closed and the hotel insisted they didn't use the chemical spray chlorpyrifos. He also added that chlorpyrifos would be fatal if one drank a glassful of it or 87cc hence death by inhaling it was unlikely. He said they would continue the probe with helps from experts and would keep those involved updated.

Panadda said that the Thai authorities didn't ignore the problem and all tried their best to restore the Thai people's integrity that they worked with sincerity and transparency. But to be appropriate, the Thai authorities had to contact the families of those who died or fell sick to make them at ease. Panadda said he therefore brought the probing team to explain to the international convoys about what they had done in the probe so far. He said that the convoys agreed that they had done a lot. He said that the team would need more time to get the answer.

Prior to the conference yesterday, Panadda commented that the international media's news reported had exaggerated facts especially the number of seven persons died after staying or using the facilities of Downtown Inn Hotel. He said that there were actually only four people; the elderly English couple whose deaths weren't questioned by relatives due to their ages, hence only a Thai female tour guide and the 23yearold New Zealand tourist Sarah Carter - the latter whose death on February 6 led to news headlines. He also said the hotel owner wasn't his relative as claimed.