Better measures sought to fight H1N1

The government needs to come up with better measures to restrict the spread of the H1N1 flu virus in the country, say politicians and critics.

TEMPLE GATHERING: Thousands of students wore masks to avoid H1N1 infections as they assembled at Wat Dhamarkaya yesterday.

Democrat MP for Bangkok Kowit Tharana urged the government to take a proactive approach to fight the spread of the disease.

He said a national campaign should be launched to clean up the places thought to be major virus transmission points. "Government agencies and private business organisations should lead by example.

"The government must take proactive steps to deal with the flu and ask state agencies and the private sector for cooperation," he said.

Mr Kowit said the virus could also spread through touching bank notes and coins and people who handle them should always wash their hands with antiseptic liquids.

"It would be best for every household in the country to maintain personal hygiene," he said. Apart from cleaning air-conditioners regularly, all households should try to stop using air-conditioners for 15 days each month and open their windows to improve ventilation and let in fresh air, he said.

Department stores should also be sprayed with disinfectants regularly before opening hours and after closing times, he said.

Deputy permanent secretary for public health Phaijit Warachit said 157 more H1N1 infections were confirmed yesterday, bringing the national total of people with the virus to 3,228 cases.

Of these, six cases are under close observation by doctors.

Another death from the virus was recorded yesterday, increasing the country's H1N1 death toll to 16.

A 45-year-old man in Ayutthaya province died of complications brought on by the virus at a local hospital. Citing information from disease control experts, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said the number of people contracting the virus is expected to rise for the next three years.

He said the high-risk groups include more than 2 million people suffering from chronic diseases and those with a weak immune system.

Charlermchai Harnpanich, secretary of the Private Hospitals Association, said private hospitals have agreed on a standard rate of 3,500 baht for a type-A (H1N1) flu test, excluding other medical expenses.

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, former public health minister, has called on the government to take decisive action to contain the spread of the virus.

She supported the idea of declaring a national cleaning week across the country, closing all schools for one week and postponing the upcoming O-Net and A-net exams, among other measures.

Private tutorial schools have been temporarily closed to help curb the spread of the virus.