Witthaya reports prenatal flu infection to WHO

BANGKOK, 27 July 2009 (NNT) – The Public Health Ministry reported the world’s first case of a foetus having contracted the A(H1N1) virus to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai stated that the baby was born prematurely as the 26-year-old mother was infected with H1N1 flu virus and gave birth only seven months into her term but the conclusion had not yet been reached on how the baby contracted the virus, either through the mother’s amniotic fluid or the umbilical chord.

The minister said pregnant women were considered as a risk group but currently it was unnecessary for the Ministry to come up with any new measures.