New round of A(H1N1) affects Thailand

BANGKOK, Nov 19 (TNA) – Influenza Type A(H1N1) re-emerged in Thailand this month, with the  Public Health Ministry reporting that the virus has affected residents in some provinces, prompting the ministry to implement new measures in response the second round of the outbreak.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai on Thursday told nationwide media via teleconference that the second wave of the A(H1N1) flu in the country has begun, particularly in some provinces.

Currently, 30 per cent of 200 students in Nakhon Ratchasima have been diagnosed as infected with the virus.

Mr Witthaya urged health officials to be especially attentive to the flu’s reappearance as the virus may spread rapidly.

However, the outbreak might not be found in all provinces, the minister said.

In addition, Mr Witthaya instructed hospitals nationwide to prepare stocks of antiviral medications and to closely monitor high-risk groups, in particular the elderly as well as pregnant women.

One million doses of imported vaccines will be delivered in December while another lot of vaccines is scheduled for January delivery.

The minister ordered the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) to import another one million doses to serve persons who can afford to buy the vaccine.

In the first round of the outbreak, about 8.4 million Thais were infected by A(H1N1) of which 20 per cent lived in Bangkok.

Mr Witthaya urged health officials to closely monitor the virus situation from November through February, the same period for the seasonal flu, which might cause some flu deaths.

On Wednesday, the health ministry confirmed one additional death, bringing the country’s total death toll to 185. (TNA)