Bangkok--Oct 18--Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited reassured its passengers that avian flu preventive measures continue to be implemented to guard against its spread in the passenger cabin and while transporting cargo and mail.
Mr. Somchainuk Engtrakul, THAI’s Board Member Acting as President, announced THAI’s continual implementation of preventive avian flu measures, further to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)’s confirmation of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza present in samples taken from domestic birds in Turkey and H5 subtype of avian influenza virus found amongst poultry in Romania.
Mr. Engtrakul said that THAI has long since introduced “The Most Hygienic In Cabin Environment” program stressing the importance of hygiene in the passenger cabin, which includes food safety, importance of cleanliness, with all THAI employees continuously implementing these procedures through to present. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized THAI’s public health efforts conducted in its “Most Hygienic” in cabin program, which was extended to hygienic safety in the passenger lounge.
In maintaining “The Most Hygienic In Cabin Environment,” THAI has placed TRUE HEPA filters in the passenger cabin of all airplanes operated by THAI, which replaces the HEPA filter previously utilized that is used by other airlines. The TRUE HEPA filter is a high performance air filter that has received approval in the medical field for use in operating rooms of major hospitals worldwide, being capable to guard against the spread of disease, bacteria, dust, mold, and vapor, with the ability to catch viral particles at 0.1 microns or by 99.999%.
THAI’s flight crew and cabin crew receive regular vaccinations guarding them against contracting pneumonia on an annual basis during the months of December to January. The company has implemented its pneumonia vaccination program for approximately 4 years, and this year vaccinations will be conducted between 1-30 November 2005 as a preventive measure for the benefit of passengers. In addition, THAI’s flight crew and cabin crew receive vaccinations to prevent against contracting meningococcal meningitis, which is spread in Delhi and Bombay, India, which flights are operated by THAI.
Since the introduction of preventive avian flu measures were first enacted by the company, THAI has implemented procedures regulating transport of live birds and poultry for export and import purposes, as follows:
Transport for Export Purposes
Embargo placed on the transport of live birds and poultry from farms or areas that the
Government has identified as affected areas.
Applicable documents required for export transport:
- Animal health certificate
- Transportation permit within the kingdom, stating the animal’s origins
- Permit for import to final destination
- Customs release permit (form 99/1)
All documents must be approved by the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, complete with stamp of approval.
Transport for Import Purposes
Embargo on import of live birds and poultry from affected countries.
Applicable documents required for import transport:
- Animal health certificate
- Transportation permit for live birds and poultry from an infection-free destination
- Transportation permit for airport transport
- Import permit for import transport into Thailand issued by the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
All certificates and permits must be approved by the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, with stamp of approval.
THAI coordinates with the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Thailand, as well as with the World Health Organization, on a regular basis to conduct nationwide epidemiological investigation on strains of avian flu. Furthermore, THAI has prepared and provided information on its preventive measures to other organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the International Air Transportation Association, and the 16 airlines under Star Alliance. THAI always places the highest degree of importance on passenger health and safety, for maximum customer satisfaction. End.