Thailand confirms four new deaths from A(H1N1) flu

BANGKOK, Jan 13 (TNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health on Wednesday reported four more deaths related to Influenza Type A(H1N1), raising total death tally from what was formerly called swine flu to 196.

In a weekly report on the A(H1N1) flu situation from January 3-9, Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Paichit Varachit confirmed four new fatalities.

The dead were identified as a 24-year-old man living in Chaiyaphum, a 30-year-old woman in Roi Et, a four-year-old boy in Nakhon Ratchasima and a six-year-old boy in Chiang Mai.

All had suffered from asthma and obesity.

Counting from May 2009-January 9, the country’s cumulative A(H1N1) death toll stands at 30,805.

Chiang Mai, Trat, Chiang Ra, Phayao and Songkhla were the first five provinces reporting the highest cumulative number of deaths.

During the past week, a number of persons with flu-like symptoms who received medical treatment at hospitals have increased from nine per cent to 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, the number of persons suffering pneumonia rose from four per cent to 10 per cent, Dr Paichit said.

It is reported that the A(H1N1) flu pandemic has been found some cool areas. Health officials are worried that the virus may spread in rural areas and local people having flu-like symptoms may treat themselves by taking anti-flu drugs which may lead to severe symptoms and deaths.

In addition, the public health ministry has urged hospitals nationwide to closely monitor patients with respiratory diseases to prevent the spread of A(H1N1) influenza.

Regarding the A(H1N1) vaccination, Manit Teeratantikanont, director-general of the Department of Disease Control said no severe allergies were found in vaccinated groups in 31 provinces during the first  two days of the vaccination programme on January 11 and 12.

The ministry reported that 3,769 at-risk people had been vaccinated. It is expected that more persons in high-risk groups will be injected as they are confident of the vaccine’s safety.

The ministry offers free vaccinations for five high-risk groups, including medical personnel, women who are at least three months pregnant, persons weighing over 100kg, the disabled, and persons with chronic diseases through March. (TNA)