Bird flu surveillance stepped up

Situations reported in nations that border Thailand after major outbreaks in the United States.

A wildlife officer tests a barn swallow taken from the Silom area of Bangkok for bird flu infection in January 2016. Barn swallows are one of several species of migratory birds that fly from Russia and China to escape the winter cold. The tested birds are given a flu-free tag. (Bangkok Post File Photo)
A wildlife official tests a house eat taken from Bangkok’s Silom region for bird virus in January 2016. One of the many migrant bird species that departs from Russia and China to avoid the winter cold is the house swallow. A flu-free badge is provided for the tested animals. ( Bangkok Post File Photo )

After more circumstances were discovered in neighboring nations following a new outbreak in the United States, public health officials are preparing to prevent the potential spread of bird flu in Thailand.

According to DDC director-general Dr. Panumas Yanwetsakul, the Livestock Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation have been working together to prevent any potential outbreaks.

Since 2006, there haven’t been any instances of bird flu in Thailand, but Dr. Panumas argued that the world scenario is concerning.

According to a recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 64 people in nine US claims were discovered to have contracted the H5N1 virus this year.

Of those, 39 had touched sick animals, 23 were attributed to exposure to sick animals and the other two were infected from mysterious options.

The World Health Organization ( WHO ) said 939 bird flu cases have been reported worldwide since 2003, with 464 fatalities in 24 countries.

In addition to the United States, bird flu has been reported this year in some of Thailand’s adjacent countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

Dr. Panumas argued that Thailand was at risk because of its central location in Southeast Asia, international traveling, and poultry farming as primary risk factors.

According to him,” The DDC has been working with several factions within the One Health system to stop any outbreaks from occurring in the nation.”

Dr Direk Khampaen, the DDC assistant director-general, said greater security measures were in area for facilities to protect against bird flu in humans. Hospital testing checkpoints and increased screening measures have been mandated by the department.

People who experience symptoms like coughing, muscle strain, or breathing problems, particularly if they have come into contact with animals or cows, are urged to call a doctor as soon as possible so they can arrange for a screening exam.

Additionally, the office instructed producers to immediately contact police if they discover any unusual deaths in their livestock, especially those of birds and cows.

Additionally, protective measures have been given precedence for those who may be more susceptible to the disease, such as veterinarians, animal managers, and parks and wildlife managers.

They are advised to get an annual flu shot because it lowers the likelihood of getting animal virus.

Dr. Direk claimed that the DDC is promoting improved immunization safety in the country by supporting local production of flu shots to lessen the need for imported vaccines and improve the country’s readiness to deal with emergencies.

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Thailand sends cholera medicine to Myanmar

300 cases were discovered in a city in Tak state, close to Mae Ramat district.

A small boat carries people across the Moei River from Mae Sot in Thailand to Myawaddy in Myanmar. Border surveillance has been tightened following a cholera outbreak that has reportedly infected as many as 7,000 people in Myanmar. (Bangkok Post File Photo)
People are transported by a smaller ship across the Moei River from Mae Sot in Thailand to Myawaddy in Myanmar. Following a typhoid outbreak that reportedly affected up to 7, 000 people in Myanmar, border security has been increased. ( Bangkok Post File Photo )

Myanmar is able to combat an outbreak that has affected big locations including Yangon, Mandalay, and Rakhine state by providing adequate treatment for 2,400 cholera people and practically 5, 000 typhoid vaccine doses thanks to the Thai Ministry of Public Health.

An estimated 7, 000 cases have been reported in the adjacent country, according to illegal information.

In Shwe Kokko, a village bordering Mae Ramat region in Tak state of Thailand, 300 cases have been reported.

Two Thai citizens and two Myanmar citizens are receiving treatment in the Mae Sot city of Tak, where four instances have been confirmed.

Thai officials have delivered 24, 000 typhoid medications, enough for nearly 2, 400 people, and 1, 482 doses of cholera vaccination via Mae Ramat Hospital. An extra 3, 500 doses may be delivered next year.

According to the agency’s Department of Disease Control, the vaccine may increase typhoid resistance for up to six months.

The Thai government is urging people to consume foods that has been thoroughly cooked and to boil water to reduce danger. Officials emphasize the importance of hand hygiene, particularly in areas where people come into contact with at-risk people or in shared having areas, and emphasize that cholera is not spread by air.

Public health officials, military officers, and local authorities are all spearheading a combined effort to educate Tak’s neighbors near the border.

Health experts at the Ban Huay Nok Lae School in Mae Ramat have provided advice on how to stop typhoid transmission.

Military forces are patrolling the border to stop illegal bridges, and port authorities are monitoring the health of the transport transporters to stop cross-border distribution.

Authorities in Mae Sot town are keeping an eye on the outbreak and making sure that all those who had come into contact with the four regional patients receive medicine.

To stop the disease from spreading more, residents are advised to keep an eye out and adhere to the “eat hot foods, use tablespoons, and wash your hands protocol.”

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Man severely injured by runaway truck wheel

The runaway wheel of the trailer truck that gravely injured a 38-year-old man in Chon Buri on Tuesday. (Photo Chon Buri Story Facebook page)
A 38-year-old male was seriously injured on Tuesday in Chon Buri by the fugitive wheel of the truck truck. ( Photo Chon Buri Story Facebook page )

CHON BURI- A 38-year-old repairman suffered serious injuries on Tuesday when he was struck by a large, rolling vehicle from a passing truck truck.

The incident took place in the Phan Thong district’s tambon Nong Hong on Phan Thong-Ban Bueng Road around afternoon.

The Nithitham Maneerat Foundation sent officers and volunteers to the picture.

They reported discovering a gentleman, identified as Wittaya Dangkrajang, incapacitated on top of packages in the back of a package delivery vehicle.

Mr Wittaya’s partner Kamon Thanupong, 42, said they were making a distribution to a roadside business. When he saw Wittaya struck by a huge wheel while he removed a package from the vehicle, he was still inside the business.

When officers arrived, a truck trailer was parked about 5 meters from the business. &nbsp,

Mr Wittaya did not respond to second help, according to volunteers. He was rushed to Phan Thong doctor. Local media reported his problem as “fifty-fifty”.

The 47-year-old semi-trailer driver, identified only as Chart, told officers he was immediately unaware the vehicle had come out. There were no notice symptoms when he checked the vehicle condition, as he did every day, he said.

Investigation was continuing, Pol Lt Col Bunchuen Sarasuk of Phan Thong authorities said. &nbsp,

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Former protest leaders plan new rallies against govt

Sondhi team stands strong against 2001 Thaksin MoU with Cambodia

Sondhi Limthongkul speaks to supporters at the Government House complaints centre in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Screenshot from Sondhi Facebook page)
On Tuesday, Sondhi Limthongkul addresses supporters at Bangkok’s Government House concerns center. ( Screenshot taken from the Facebook page of Sondhi )

The government has threatened new demonstrations against it because it has not responded to their request to rescind a 2001 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia regarding overlapping regional states in the Gulf of Thailand.

They assert that the MoU risks compromising Thai territorial integrity and protecting its marine tools. &nbsp,

When the government had a 15-day window to confiscation the memorandum of understanding with Cambodia and the then-Chambodhi counterpart’s joint statement from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his then-Cambodge equivalent Hun Sen, Mr. Sondhi and a group of followers showed up at the Government House problems center on Tuesday.

The MoU relates to the posting of asset growth.

The MoU and the statement, according to the Sondhi group, could be read as Thailand acknowledges Cambodia’s regional state, which overlaps with Thai territorial statements and privileges to marine sources in the Gulf of Thailand.

Mr. Sondhi claimed that the government had not longer taken any action in response to the date.

His team had previously requested that the government request that the Constitutional Court rule on whether the MoU was democratic and to set up public forums on the MoU so that the public may have their say.

The government’s trying silence may damage the national attention and his team did take action to protect Thai independence, Mr Sondhi said.

Parnthep Pourpongpan, who accompanied Mr Sondhi, said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had promised to discuss the matter with Mr Sondhi, but failed to do so. She had even rejected the&nbsp, proposed people conference, saying that critics already had the grievances centre at Government House, according to Mr Parnthep.

The president’s even reply had been to recognize their criticism, Mr Parnthep said.

” Does the lack of answer mean that there is interest in our city rallies”? he said.

In order to pressure the state into a good answer, Mr. Parnthep said his party intended to stage a protest outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the legislature, and early in the year, the Royal Thai Navy’s office.

” The problem is already on people’s heads”, he said.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn stated on Tuesday that the government was soliciting input from as many events as possible regarding the issue.

When asked about the requited people forum, she responded that it was delicate and needed to be handled properly.

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Singapore charities call for more donations, volunteers amid festive season

For some, the festive times like Christmas and the future Chinese New Year activities are a day for spring cleaning and getting rid of unnecessary things.

In response, some neighborhood organizations reported seeing a significant increase in gifts of used goods.

Another organizations like the Boys ‘ Brigade in Singapore, yet, said they face some difficulties.

It reported to CNA that it has raised about quarter of its donation goal this year.

” We have plenty corn … and instant pasta, but what we’re quick of are things like beverages, kosher canned food, cakes and cookies. But if we can have more of these funds, that would be beneficial to us”, said Mr Desmond Koh, senior director of Boys ‘ Brigade Singapore.

For this festive season, its participants, including students involved in the armed group, have prepared hampers that will go to 51, 185 beneficiaries this time – the highest amount that it has served.

However, the generosity does not have enough participants who can push to provide the hampers, which comprise items like wheat, canned foods and biscuits.

This spurred it to come up with a fresh strategy to make it more suitable for individuals: On-foot delivery.

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Public toilet cleanliness efforts to be stepped up as coffee shop restrooms remain below standards

The late established Public Toilets Taskforce told CNA that it would make tips in the first quarter of next year, including those relating to the design, maintenance, and assessment of public restrooms.

According to doctors, an impure bathroom poses risks, such as the spread of bacteria bacteria, skin irritation and infection, especially in areas where people gather and eat food.

” If you go to the toilet, you don’t sanitise your hands ( and ) after that, you go on to consume food&nbsp, – there’s a higher chance of you getting gastrointestinal diseases”, said Dr Daniel Soong, director of Unihealth Medical.

He added that people should get hygiene really to defend themselves and others, even though the chances of transmission are generally low because visits are frequently temporary.

HOW ARE INSPECTIONS AVAILABLE?

The Singapore Food Agency ( SFA ) performs surprise spot checks on hawker center toilets, while the SFA performs similar checks on coffee shops ‘ toilets.

Inspectors check for loose waste on the ground, if the bins are overflowing, if amenities such as taps and cleaning equipment function, if doors lock effectively, if shampoo and bathroom paper are satisfactory, and for water stains on the floor.

Ivan Yap, a NEA inspector, said the region around the fall is typically the worst because people frequently squirm liquid after washing their hands. &nbsp,

” It’s really a very bad behavior. As he checked the restrooms at Sembawang Hills Food Centre, he explained that it will leave a lot of water markings on the floor, produce slips and falls, and in the long run, it may leave a permanent stain on the ground as well.

He stated that if there are any problems,” we will tell the idea owner or operators on the failures observed and we will follow up with an email to them …with images and say that there will be police actions taken against them, if any ),” but that their situation was acceptable.

Users are required to finish any broken or defective items, such as soap dispensers and hands dryers, by a set date.

If they do not do so, they can be slapped with fines up to S$ 5, 000 ( US$ 3, 700 ).

Government TOILETS ARE GOING DISTINCT IN 2024

Additionally, a team at Singapore Management University ( SMU) discovered that the toilets in coffee shops across the country have gotten dirtier in the last year.

In all four editions of the research that began in 2016, coffee shop toilets were deemed to be in the bottom line, far below those in purchasing centers, train stations, and stalls centers.

CNA spoke to members of the public who agreed with the conclusions, with some saying they avoid using the bathroom at caffeine stores.

One woman claimed she had not had a positive experience that because she had issues with slick surfaces and a lack of toilet papers.

Another said:” I don’t actually visit the toilet at coffee shops because I’m afraid that it’ll be unclean. Sometimes there are “used bathroom paper” or “used surgical pads” around the bathroom bowls.

The survey also revealed that nearly half of Singaporeans surveyed said they would pay to employ restrooms if cleaning may be assured.

Of those prepared, eight in 10 were open to paying 10 to 30 percent, while four in 10 were willing to fork out 50 percent to over S$ 1 for a better experience.

SMU principal teacher of figures &nbsp, Rosie Ching, who was behind the study, said the findings will be shared with key partners with hope that more collective action can be taken.

Digital FOR Toilet

At 510 Chai Chee Lane, one espresso shop that is against the flow is located.

The Restroom Association Singapore (RAS ), which promotes clean bathrooms for everyone, gave it its first five stars rating for it in a coffee shop toilet last month.

Public restrooms are given marks of three to six stars in its documentation program, based on factors like cleaning and amenities.

Operators of the coffee shop claimed they turned to technology to make the coffee store’s toilet more accessible.

They invested$ 80, 000 to beautify their bathroom, including a feedback section that lets users notify employees when the floors are wet or when the shampoo is dry.

” With all this technology, it helps. I don’t need to maintain asking my team to go in and check whether there’s toilet paper, if the floor is no clean… what’s run out, etc”, said Ben Yeo, co-owner of Tan Xiang Chai Chee coffee shop.

” We don’t have the pleasure like resorts or shops that have labor. With all of this, they aid us in reducing our need for labor solely to clean the bathrooms.

The coffee store’s bathroom also features hanging flowers and taste diffusers, with song playing in the background. Smart bidets are expected to be included in future strategies.

Rules AND EDUCATION

Sandeep Khanna, the association’s executive director, reported that the organization is working with SFA to develop new guidelines for toilets in coffee shops in order to increase fundamentals like enhancing the space’s brightness and smell.

These guidelines were created with in mind the particular challenges and difficulties of coffee shops, as well as how we can progress them incrementally, he continued.

By the fourth quarter of the following year, the association hopes to release them.

Additionally, it is collaborating with partners to develop customized instruction for cleaning staff and make smart technologies like sensors more affordable for espresso shops.

Beyond the documentation, he said,” We need to style bespoke and personalized training programs for them so that they can do their jobs much.”

The Public Hygiene Council, which was formed in 2011 to increase standards of cleanliness and health in Singapore, said knowledge is another important aspect for cleaner services.

To help students learn the value of good restrooms etiquette and how to maintain them clear, it piloted a bathroom cleaning component this year at two major universities.

According to Dr. Christina Liew, the executive director of the council,” We really are trying to promote this good, good behavior from a very young years, so these kids know the fundamentals of how to keep restrooms clean and they can get home and tell their family members as well.”

Next time, it intends to offer the package to another 15 institutions.

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SingPost board member Lim Cheng Cheng resigns

SINGAPORE: Ms Lim Cheng Cheng, cheerful party chief commercial officer of company Singtel, &nbsp, has stepped lower from Singapore Post’s board of directors. &nbsp,

In a bourse filing on the Singapore Exchange (SGX ) on Monday ( Dec 23 ), SingPost said Ms Lim resigned as a non-executive, non-independent director of the company. &nbsp,

” Consequent to Ms Lim’s departure, she will also continue to be a part of the finance and investment council”, said SingPost, adding that her withdrawal took result from Monday. &nbsp,

Since taking the SingPost committee in April 2017, Ms. Lim has been there for more than seven years. &nbsp,

In an announcement last quarter, Singtel said Ms Lim&nbsp, was stepping down as its party general business agent due to a “new expert chance”. &nbsp,

The provider is&nbsp, the largest investor of SingPost.

She joined Singtel in 2012 as vice chairman of party proper funding and &nbsp, and has held senior positions like managing director, group corporate expense, and group CFO.

Her departure from SingPost’s table comes after the business &nbsp, fired three older executives&nbsp, on Saturday over their handling of domestic investigations into a reporting report. SingPost’s stock tumbled about 11 per share after the layoffs.

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Grab, Gojek, CDG Zig, Tada platform fees to rise by up to 50 cents from Jan 1

SINGAPORE: Four ride-hailing operators in Singapore will be raising their platform fees by up to S$ 0.50 ( US$ 0.37 ) from Jan 1, 2025, in a move they partly attribute to costs&nbsp, arising from the upcoming Platform Workers Act.

Grab, the leading ride-hailing platform in Singapore, will increase its fees&nbsp, from S$ 0.70 to S$ 0.90 for commuters, it said in a statement on Tuesday ( Dec 24 ).

The new “platform &amp, partner fee” will support Central Provident Fund ( CPF ) contributions, work injury compensation ( WIC ) coverage and other welfare initiatives for its platform workers, as well as platform&nbsp, maintenance and service improvements, it added.

For its foods, shopping and shipment delivery service, its costs will go up from S$ 0.40 to S$ 0.60.

Gojek will even increase its app cost by S$ 30 to S$ 50 per journey, with the technician stating on Tuesday that these changes are intended to “protect drivers and their earnings in support of the Bill” in addition to improving and maintaining its services.

Also, ComfortDelGro, Singapore’s largest car operator, said on Tuesday it will increase its system fees. The actual cost will depend on factors like the distance traveled and the length of the trip, and it will be charged to commuters for S$ 1.20, which is higher than the current smooth rate of S$ 0.70.

Trips made with the CDG Zig game, DBS PayLah!, may be covered by this. app and Kris software.

The increase will go toward “enhanced security and&nbsp, welfare activities that are part of the new System Staff Bill, providing a more enjoyable and secure prospect for our drivers,” according to Mr. Tommy Tan, CEO of ComfortDelGro Taxi.

The company added that the adjustment will help pay operating costs for platform workers ‘ new initiatives under the Ministry of Manpower’s ( MOM), including enhanced insurance coverage and CPF contributions.

TADA also announced that it would increase its app cost by S$ 0.50 per journey, excluding GST.

An email sent to clients on Tuesday reads,” In addition to maintaining latest features and creating new ones to provide a better ride-hailing knowledge for you, this modification is also crucial to the application of the president’s Platform Workers Bill.”

Ryde has been contacted by CNA to inquire whether its app fees may be changed in the same way.

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