WHO asked to review flu battle plan
Developing countries short of resources
- Published: 18/06/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Budget constraints have prompted a call for a review into how developing countries deal with the flu pandemic.
The call follows concerns about type-A (H1N1) developing a resistance to the antiviral drug oseltamivir.
Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, a specialist with the Medical Services Department and a virologist at the Queen Sirikit National Institute, will address the issue in talks today with World Health Organisation officials and medical experts on influenza in Geneva.
The talks will centre on clinical management and medication guidelines for flu treatment in developing countries.
"Unlike rich nations, low and middle-income countries like Thailand do not have sufficient financial or medical resources to deal with the flu pandemic," Mr Tawee said.
"Having clear medicinal guidelines for influenza treatment will enable us to wisely utilise resources that we have."
In the absence of an efficient vaccine against the influenza, only oseltamivir and zanamivir, made by Roche and GlaxoSmithKline, respectively, are considered efficient in keeping the virus in check.
But increasing evidence of virus resistance to oseltamivir has prompted medical experts to exercise caution when prescribing the antiviral drugs in patients with flu symptoms.
Frequent use of the medicine without precise diagnoses is likely to trigger viral resistance.
Thailand resorted heavily to oseltamivir when treating patients with suspected and confirmed bird flu but experienced an increase in cases developing a resistance to the drug.
The guideline for influenza type-A (H1N1) and seasonal flu treatment had been reviewed.
The medicine would be given on a case-by-case basis while children aged below five, people aged over 65 and patients suffering chronic diseases would top the list to receive medicinal treatment.
Two million doses of seasonal flu vaccines would be provided to this high-risk group.
In Thailand, an estimated 3 million to 4 million people are reported to contract seasonal flu each year.
An epidemiologically-based study found there were 320 fatalities last year.
Meanwhile, 95 new cases of the swine flu were confirmed yesterday, bringing the total to 405.
Of the cases, 393 have been completely cured. The rest are in hospital undergoing treatment, Public Health Ministry spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said.
The outbreak forced more schools to close yesterday including Nong Chok Secondary and Nawamintarachuthis Satri Vidhya 2 in Bangkok's Nong Chok district. Twenty-three schools have been closed across the nation.
Preecha Jitsing, director of Education Zone 2 in Bangkok, said no students at the two schools had tested positive to the flu but the closures were a preventive measure after several students were found to have a high fever.
President of the Association of Siamese Architects Thaweejit Chandrasakha yesterday warned building owners and operators to clean air-conditioning systems in their buildings more often to prevent the influenza and other sick building syndromes.
"Besides washing hands and wearing masks, cleaning air-conditioners, especially in the fan coil units, every two months can reduce the possibility of infection and other ailments related to poorly maintained indoor air quality," he said.
Mr Thaweejit said doormats should be laid at building entrances to help remove dust and dirt from shoes.
About the author
- Writer: APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL and LAMPHAI INTATHEP
