New flu cases reported in Phuket

Confirmed cases of swine flu rose to 89, and 30 new suspected victims have been diagnosed with A(H1N1) in Phuket, the Public Health Ministry and other sources said on Friday.

Infections have been confirmed in Bangkok, Songkhla, Pattaya and Phuket, said Permanent Secretary for Health Dr Prat Bunyawongwirote.

The World Health Organisation on Thursday declared a worldwide pandemic of the flu strain, first found in Mexico. Thai authorities have not raised an official alarm.

But as Dr Prat reported the 89 official infections, authorities in Phuket reported the 30 new cases.

Four Phuket tourists, three of them Pakistani nationals, have been quarantined,reported the Phuket Gazette, along with a Thai put into quarantine at a private hospital at the tourist resort.

"Blood samples from 26 Patong nightclub employees were also sent for testing," reported the newspaper. "They reported coughing and flu symptoms after coming into contact with a Hong Kong tourist who came down with swine flu during a stay in Patong."