8 new deaths confirmed from A(H1N1) virus

BANGKOK, Aug 26 (TNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday confirmed eight new deaths from Influenza A(H1N1), raising the country’s total death toll to 119.

Dr Paichit Varachit, Deputy Permanent-Secretary for Public Health, said eight deaths between August 16-22 included four women and four men. Half of them are between 31-40 years old being categorised as a risk group.

He said the country’s cumulative number of death cases stands at 119, but the increase has diminished by nearly half compared to the 14 deaths reported last week.

Dr Paichit said the A(H1N1) outbreak in the capital and its surrounding provinces is slowing down, but instead spreading further in upcountry rural areas.

“The ministry has instructed every province to strictly follow two ‘reduction’ measures: Reduce both the number of viral infections and the overall death toll as much as they can,” said Dr Paichit.

At the same time, he said, the province must speed up detection of Influenza Type A(H1N1) patients in local communities and inform the public of self-protection against the new virus strain.

Dr Paichit said a committee in charge of containing the A(H1N1) outbreak, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart, met Tuesday and agreed to strictly continue the anti-A(H1N1) measures as the pandemic is still being detected in some groups of people.

The measures implemented include patient screening in schools and local communities, as well as providing more access to the anti-viral drug and quality improvement of medical treatment.

More than 6.5 million pills of the anti-viral medication Oseltamivir has been distributed throughout the country and nearly six million have been stockpiled in the central warehouse, Dr Paichit added.

He said 1.8 million pills have been used, and noted that the death toll from the new virus strain has decreased as patients are getting more access to the antiviral drug. (TNA)