Thailand reports more 12 deaths related to Influenza A(H1N1)

BANGKOK, Sept 9 (TNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health recorded more 12 deaths related to the Influenza Type A(H1N1) in its weekly report, bringing the country’s total fatalities registered from the new flu to 142.

The ministry reported another 12 new deaths including three men and nine women from August 30 to September 5.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said although the Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak in Thailand seems to be abating, the World Health Organization (WHO) and western countries are on alert for a possible second round of the H1N1 virus which might be more severe than the first round.

Mr Witthaya said he set up a special committee to evaluate and to monitor the situation closely.

The minister also said the total number of infections in Thailand was estimated at about two million, with an estimated 62 million people having no immunity against the virus.

Thailand still has fatalities reported every week and as the temperatures will drop in the coming winter, so the ministry has to further implement sanitary measures to prevent the possibly severe outbreak in the next round.

The government set aside a budget to procure more than 200 respirators for distribution to hospitals in the provinces.

Additional surveillance measures have been implemented in provinces where the bird flu outbreak occurred, said the minister. (TNA)