Prachuap Khiri Khan confirms first A(H1N1) fatality

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, July 31 (TNA) – The coastal province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, southwest of Bangkok, confirmed its first influenza type A(H1N1) fatality Friday, and the Public Health Ministry denied a 16-year-old girl who lost her baby had contracted the virus or had a miscarriage because of the virus.

Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Panchai Bawornrattanapran told reporters that the victim was 24-year old woman weighing 124 kilogrammes.

She died at Bangsapan Hospital on July 27 even though she was given anti-viral pills, he said, adding that the patient developed severe pneumonia and was connected to a respirator.

In a related development, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Paijit Warachit confirmed that the 16-year-old girl six months
pregnant and admitted to Maharaj Hospital in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima had not contracted A(H1N1).

The girl lost her baby and the initial report mistakenly said that her miscarriage may have been related to the A(H1N1) virus.

Mr Paijit said that double lab tests had confirmed that she had not contracted the virus.

However, she was still in critical condition with a severe lung infection and was put under respirator and was in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Meanwhile, a doctor at Maharaj Hospital said the patient had developed fever and a respiratory system problem which was considered like an A(H1N1) viral symptom.

The medical team decided to administer anti-viral drugs since she was admitted at the hospital on July 20 and after taking complete regimen of drugs her condition had not improved and she lost her baby on July 28.

The young woman’s miscarriage resulted from severe common influenza, according to the doctor. (TNA)