Govt can control A (H1N1) virus

BANGKOK, 17 June 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared that the number of A (H1N1) cases was still unstable, although he confirmed that the Ministry of Public Health was capable of controlling the situation.

Prime Minister Abhisit stated that he had urged the Ministry of Public Health to strengthen measures to monitor people infected with the A (H1N1) virus and keep them away from public places in order to prevent the spread of the disease. In response to fears that death from the virus would soon occur in the country, the Prime Minister assured that the possibility was still low.

The Prime Minister insisted that the rising number of infected people was not the government’s failure. He cited that a perfect control over the situation was difficult, noting that the toll of patients had been soaring worldwide and not only in Thailand. However, he affirmed that the government had continually monitored the virus situation and no travel limitation would yet be adopted.

During the Thai Health Promotion Foundation’s provision of health checkup service at the Parliament, Mr. Abhisit also used the service and found no symptoms of illness. Hygienic masks and hand-sanitizing gels were distributed to people at the building by Ramathibodi Hospital along with instructions on preventive practices against the A (H1N1) virus.