Tourists in Phuket unconcerned over H1N1 outbreak

PHUKET, 15 July 2009 (NNT) – Tourists traveling to the southern province of Phuket have voiced ilittle concern over the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak situation in the nation while the province itself is fully ready to tackle the virus spread.

Mr Eivino Byberg, a Norwegian tourist said he was not scared of the H1N1 outbreak situation in Thailand. In an interview with NNT, he shared that he had been traveling in Thailand with other six members of his family to many provinces in Thailand from Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Bangkok. He informed that his family trip would be completed with snorkeling activities in Phuket, adding that this was his fourth time to Thailand.

Meanwhile, Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob informed that the outbreak situation in the province was not a concerning matter, reasoning that there were not many influenza A patients in the province. However, he asserted that Phuket authorities were prepared for the virus, adding that sanitary masks were already ordered.