Two more A(H1N1) flu deaths in Thailand

BANGKOK, Nov 25 (TNA) – The Thai Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday reported two new deaths caused by the A(H1N1) influenza virus, raising the country’s total deaths to 187 since April.

In the weekly report on the A(H1N1) flu situation in the country from November 15 through November 21, Dr Paichit Varachit, permanent secretary for public health, confirmed two new fatalities.

Both men, one lived in Bangkok and one in Loei, suffered chronic diseases.

Counting since April 28, the cumulative number of deaths has reached 187 while the total number of patients is 29,165.

Regarding anti-flu vaccines, Dr Paichit said that a government vaccination programme for high-risk groups may begin in mid-January 2010 after the vaccines are delivered to Thailand at the end of December.

The first group mandated to be vaccinated are medical workers.

Currently, the health ministry has asked provincial health chiefs nationwide to submit the number of persons needing to be vaccinated to the ministry in order to prepare the vaccines for them.

The A(H1N1) flu’s high-risk groups consist of health workers, women at least three-months pregnant, people weighing over 100 kilogrammes, mentally handicapped persons, and those with chronic diseases, said Dr Paichit.

In addition, the ministry asked the Social Development and Human Security Ministry to compile the number of handicapped persons in preparation for the vaccines.

Meanwhile, there will be a lot of festivities at the year end, in which people will travel and the disease may easily spread in crowded areas so provincial health offices and related agencies nationwide are ordered to step up measures against the spread of the virus. (TNA)