Provincial health authorities reported 27 suspected cases of swine or A/H1N1 flu on Koh Samui.

Earlier, it was reported that a Hong Kong tourist who had visited Samui between June 4 and 5 was confirmed last June 12 to have contracted the disease.

Dr. Natthawut Prasert-phong of the Suratthani Public Health Department said the H1N1 situation on Koh Samui was still under control, with no person being found to have been infected.

“We were informed by an official in Hong Kong that the tourist who visited Koh Samui got infected. We immediately traced where that tourist stayed and whom that tourist touched. Now we have found 27 people suspected to be infected, and we asked them to cooperate. They agreed to stay away from other people and confine themselves at home for seven days from June 12,” Natthawut said.

Suratthani Gov. Pracha Taerat, meanwhile, said that people in Suratthani, including those on Samui, are being threatened not only with swine flu but also dengue fever and chikungunya, which are spreading in the area.

Being informed and updated about the diseases is the best way to keep one’s self from infection, he said.

In a related development, Bangkok Airways, which flies to Samui from Bangkok and several Asian destinations, said they would provide protective masks and gloves, as well as necessary medical treatment inflight and on the ground.

As of June 25, Thailand’s total number of H1N1 patients had risen to 985.

Of the 86 new cases, 63 were students, according to Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai.