Man, aged 30, becomes sixth H1N1 fatality
People warned to take extra care over holiday
- Published: 4/07/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
A 30-year-old man has been confirmed as Thailand's sixth A (H1N1) influenza fatality.
The man developed flu symptoms on June 26 and sought medical treatment at a private hospital in Bangna district three days later with severe pneumonia. He died on Wednesday, said Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongwirote.
The hospital did not report the infection to the ministry until after he died. A post-mortem conducted on Thursday found the man had A (H1N1) influenza.
The man weighed 123kg, which put him in the high-risk group. Experts say obesity is one of the risk factors contributing to deaths among type A (H1N1) patients.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai yesterday warned people to take extra care during the five-day holiday starting today.
The flu could spread easily, so people should avoid crowded places if possible, he said.
"Although the H1N1 strain of virus is not virulent, it moves around as quickly as a storm," said Prasert Thongcharoen, president of the Influenza Foundation Thailand.
Most cases of infection and death were reported in crowded urban areas such as Bangkok and Chon Buri, where local flu transmission has been confirmed.
A short-term epidemiological study on the new strain of virus also showed that students and young adults were the most vulnerable group.
Dr Prasert says the mortality rate is still low and there is no sign of virus mutation so far.
He recommended the Public Health Ministry beef up influenza surveillance and prevention at crowded places such as schools, military and prisons.
He also suggested the government put on hold any plans to buy a thermal scanning machine to screen inbound passengers because the device had missed some people with influenza A (H1N1).
The rising number of schoolchildren contracting the virus yesterday prompted several schools upcountry to close, with parents flocking to pick up their children.
In Saraburi province, Saraburi Witthayakhom school has suspended classes until July 9 after two students tested positive for H1N1 and three students developed flu-like symptoms.
The two students with flu picked it up after returning from tuition schools in Bangkok, while the three students with flu-like symptoms fell ill after they went to a weekend concert by the Korean boy band Dong Bang Shin Ki, at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani.
In Kanchanaburi, parents were seen arriving at Chalermprakiart Somdej Phra Srinakharin school yesterday morning to pick up their children after almost 200 students caught flu and three students fell seriously ill.
About the author
- Writer: APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
