Two new A(H1N1) deaths reported in Thailand; toll rises to 189

BANGKOK, Dec 9 (TNA) – Two more deaths from Influenza Type A(H1N1) in Thailand were confirmed by the Ministry of Public Health, bringing the total number of fatalities to 189 since April.

The Bureau of Epidemiology of the Department of Disease Control, which has closely monitored the flu situation beginning April 28 and continuing until December 9, on Wednesday also reported that cumulative total of A(H1N1) flu patients so far stands at 29,618.

Following the meeting about the anti-A(H1N1) flu vaccination process, Dr Manit Teeratantikanont, director general of the Department of  Disease Control, said that health officials prepared the vaccination process to standardise the country’s public health system as well as to reduce the number of A(H1N1) deaths.

Because of the limited number of vaccine dosages in the country, health workers and high-risk persons are the first groups to be vaccinated.

The at-risk groups include women over three-month pregnant, persons weighing over 100 kilogrammes, handicapped persons, and those aged between 6 and 64 with chronic diseases.

Dr Manit added that 200,000 doses of the vaccine will be delivered to Thailand in late December while the vaccination for the high-risk groups is scheduled to begin in January. (TNA)