Guest Posted October 17, 2003 Report Share Posted October 17, 2003 http://nationmultimedia.com/page.news.php3?clid=3&id=101999&usrsess=1 [APEC] SUMMIT SAFETY: Hotel F&B staff get tail end swiped Published on Oct 17, 2003 Rectal swabs part of strict screening for contagious disease carriers The bottom line in ensuring that Apec leaders and delegates don't get food sickness or worse? Bend over and have your rear end wiped. Hundreds of chefs, servers and dishwashers at the sixteen hotels housing Apec leaders and delegates have passed the rectal swab test over the past two weeks, public health officials said yesterday. The government has stopped at nothing to ensure the safety and health of visiting Apec dignitaries, from security checks on hotel employees to hygiene measures to avoid food poisoning. The faecal sampling was aimed at excluding hotel staff suffering from infectious diseases spread by contaminated food and water, such as typhoid and worms, said Dr Somsong Rugpao, director-general of the Medical Sciences Department. None of the hotel workers was found carrying contagious diseases, he said. Health Department doctors also scrutinised other tiny details that could cause medical problems, such as dandruff and ringworm infestation. Dr Somyos Charoensak, deputy director-general of the department, said the rectal test had been used over the past ten for several major international gatherings. "The swab is to make sure that the specimens come from the hotel employees themselves," Songyos said. "It doesn't hurt." But the procedure became a political issue yesterday. Democrat MP Akapol Sorasuchart told a House session that he had received a complaint from a hotel executive who felt the rectal swab went too far. "It's over the top," Akapol said. However, Benjawan Sudhikam, director of public relations and communications at the Conrad Hotel, said hygiene screening was common in the hotel industry. Over 200 of her kitchen staff passed the comprehensive medical screening last week. Five other host hotels declined to comment on the issue when contacted by The Nation yesterday. Phermsak Lilakul THE NATION Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 17, 2003 Report Share Posted October 17, 2003 [color:"blue"] Health Department doctors also scrutinised other tiny details that could cause medical problems, such as dandruff and ringworm infestation. [/color] ringworm...OK dandruff ? guess they don't want anyone to get 'snowed'. Good one Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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