TV new front in fight against flu

>>The Public Health Ministry will today use a special TV programme to educate the public on the dangers of the H1N1 flu outbreak as the number of victims has now exceeded 600 in the country.

The programme, to be aired on Channel 11 from 8.30pm to 10pm, is the ministry's latest effort to allay public fears over the disease and to contain the spread of the virus which has hit 24 provinces.

The country's leading influenza experts, virologists and a World Health Organisation representative will give advice on how people can protect themselves and reduce the chances of contracting the virus, said Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai.

The minister yesterday reassured the public the new H1N1 strain was only capable of causing a mild infection.

Most of the 662 cases reported in Thailand have fully recovered with only 11 of them still hospitalised as of yesterday. But none is in serious condition.

Students are the largest affected group. Of the 73 new cases reported yesterday, 59 were students, said Mr Witthaya. The ministry will also focus on containing the virus' spread.

Meanwhile, the University Rectors Council yesterday resolved to set up a panel to monitor important situations in the country. The panel's first task is to monitor the H1N1 outbreak and issue guidelines on pandemic response, said chairman Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, rector of the National Institution of Development Administration.

"The panel has resolved that universities or faculties where students are infected should not shut down. Instead, they want the infected persons or suspected cases to stay home until they have fully recovered," he said.