PM Abhisit advises on preventing H1N1 virus

BANGKOK, Aug 9 (TNA) — Noting that the numbers of fatalities from Influenza Type A (H1N1) virus has risen in almost every country worldwide, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday provided five indicators to the Thai public as self-protection guidelines as to whether they should go and see doctors in order to protect themselves from catching the flu.

The five recommendations are high fever with headache, high fever and loss of appetite, high fever with body ache, high fever with chest pain, and high fever with diarrhea or vomit.

The prime minister said during his weekly television and radio address that although the number of virus patients in Bangkok has started to decline, the number of patients upcountry is increasing.

The disease does not occur in Thailand alone but is happening everywhere in the world, and the number of fatalities is rising on several continents including South America, Australia and Asia, he said. If the public follows these recommendations it could help solve the problem.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has prepared a website, www.flu2009thailand.com, which will provide vital information as well as urging the public to help fight against the disease, said Mr. Abhisit. (TNA)