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Thai epidemiology experts have been engaging with diplomatic staff over the mystery death of New Zealander Sarah Carter, but Foreign Minister Murray McCully says nothing conclusive has yet emerged.
Ms Carter, 23, fell ill last month while staying at the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai and died from a heart inflammation a day later.
She was one of seven people to die in similar circumstances in the northern Thai city.
An elderly British couple, a Thai tourist guide and a Canadian man died after staying at the same hotel or using its facilities, while two other women died in similar circumstances within one month.
Mr McCully said he was briefed today on advice the Thai Board of Epidemiology had given officials at the New Zealand embassy in Bangkok.
"The Board of Epidemiology have been quite helpful so far, but nothing useful or conclusive has come from their report. But the fact that they're openly engaging with us is a good sign and we welcome that," he told reporters.
"We're still pursuing some further lines of inquiry there and encouraging the Thai authorities to continue with their own inquiries."
Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disakul earlier said the deaths were a coincidence and travellers were safe.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week issued a travel advisory warning travellers to take general preventive health measures, including paying attention to personal hygiene, eating only hot food and drinking clean water.
NZPA
Tue, 22 Mar 2011
Tue, 22 Mar 2011
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Thai epidemiology experts helping NZ staff over death
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