Are You At Risk of Contracting TB In Thailand?

Hopping into a cool air-conditioned cab on a hot dayabout the confined areas that you experience in your
(which is everyday) in Thailand, can be a life saver.daily routine year after year. Airplanes, busses,
The latest threat to cab riders in the Kingdom issubways, trains, and the list goes on. Since it is an
tuberculosis.airborne bacterium, there is little to stop it, especially
The top man at Thailand's National Association forsince you can't see it.
the Elimination of TB has acknowledged that a studyIn just one year, someone who is currently suffering
is currently being conducted about TB in the Kingdomfrom TB can infect 10 to 15 other people during the
of Thailand.course of a year and not even know that they are
It is estimated that over 90 thousand new cases ofdoing so.
TB are reported each year in Thailand.The shocking part is that about 25 percent of all
To help ease the mind of travelers, taxi cabs arecases are reported to be drug-resistant, which means
going forward with a campaign to let riders knowthat taking a prescription doesn't necessarily result in
that their cabs are TB-free.success.
Taxi stands that have a TB-Free Zone sticker areAbout 5 to 7 thousand people in Thailand die of TB
being used for easy identification.each year.
All the talk and fuss came about after two taxiThere's no need to panic, but you should be aware
drivers in Thailand were found to be infected with TBof what is possibly in the air.
by the National Association for the Elimination of TB.The study by the National Association for the
Street vendors will also be studied.Elimination of TB should be concluded in the year
TB is quite common and it is deadly.2010.
It most often is caused by mycobacterium thatIn most cases, a 6 month prescription of drugs can
settles in the lungs, but it can affect other parts ofcure the infected person.
the body, including a person's central nervous system.Thailand is a wonderful country, but it is a
Mycobacterium can also cause leprosy.Third-World country with visitors from all around the
TB can easily be spread through the air. Just thinkglobe visiting each year.