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.

Mr. Chumpol stated that the latest number of foreign tourists traveling into the nation was at 26,000, which was an increase from the same period last year. Therefore, he confirmed that the new virus outbreak situation did not affect national tourism.

However, the minister stated that he did not want political problems to exacerbate the economic crisis after it was worsened by the airport closure and the cancellation of the ASEAN Summits in Pattaya.

Mr. Chumpol also clarified that the Chinese government did not forbid Thai citizens from entering the country for fear of the A (H1N1) infection as rumored, adding that the issue had already been discussed with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, stated that the strategies used by the Thai Public Health Ministry to handle the H1N1 virus outbreak were on the right track and corresponded with the ones used by the WHO. He explained that the ministry’s assurance that the disease did not contain hazardous effects was not a distortion of fact.

In regards to the soaring number of flu-infected patients as well as the death toll in the country, which had become the highest in the region, Dr. Samlee clarified that such increases were due to the country’s effective measures in monitoring and reporting the development of the virus situation.

Dr. Samlee also asked the people not to be overanxious with the virus outbreak. He suggested that they keep themselves healthy, follow the suggestions by the Ministry of Public Health, frequently wash their hands and follow up the virus situation. The Regional Director also commented on the government’s plan to close some game shops and tuition agencies, saying that, although it would not prevent the spread of the virus, it could encourage the public to be more health-oriented.

Medical Services Department Deputy Director-General, Wanchai Sattayawuthipong, reported that the 47 year old man now had severe complication of pneumonia and required the aid of a ventilator. He added that the use of Oseltamivir with the patient was in time and not too late as many people claimed.

In regards to the other 23 H1N1 infected patients monitored at hospitals, MD Wanchai said none of them were in serious condition and all were recovering well.

As for medical treatment for patients who were not in the risky group, the Deputy Director-General said the Ministry was pending confirmation from the medical team and the World Health Organization (WHO) to see if the Ministry needed to change any treatment methods or not.