H1N1
Three more fatalities caused by type-A (H1N1) flu virus have been confirmed. The latest deaths bring the country's death toll from the flu to 18.
Witthaya: Asks drug stores to help
In a bid to stem the spread of the virus, text messages are to be sent to people educating them about flu prevention.
Deputy permanent secretary for public health Phaijit Warachit yesterday said the ministry had recorded three more deaths from the flu.
He said an autopsy on Saturday on a 45-year-old man in Ayutthaya province found the man died of lung infection caused by the H1N1 virus.
The second case was a 24-year-old woman from Ratchaburi who was admitted on July 3 to Siriraj Hospital. She died of an H1N1 infection on Saturday.
She was thought to be among the high-risk group. The woman worked as a shop assistant at an internet cafe. She weighed about 150kg and suffered from heart disease and high blood pressure.
The third case was a 19-year-old man in Nakhon Si Thammarat who died on Friday of a lung infection aggravated by the H1N1 virus. Lab test results confirming he died of the virus infection were released yesterday.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday told his weekly talk programme people should not overreact to the flu outbreak.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai asked owners of pharmacies and their staff in Bangkok and surrounding areas to help combat the H1N1 flu.
He said pharmacists could be the first line of defence in curbing the spread of the flu as sick people usually buy medicines from them before going to see a doctor.
Mr Witthaya urged pharmacists to educate people on how best to avoid contracting the flu and advised people in the high-risk groups and people suspected of contracting the flu to consult a doctor immediately.
Mr Abhisit said his ministry had adopted a proactive approach to fighting the flu.
The ministry would ask mobile phone service providers to send short messages telling their subscribers about the country's flu outbreak in which about 2.4 million people are thought to fall into high-risk groups and to advise people about flu prevention.
The ministry will also consider sending letters with information about how vulnerable people such as the elderly and sufferers of multiple diseases should deal with the flu, Mr Witthaya said.
He also said doctors and medical personnel at state-run hospitals were required to wear protective masks all the time while on duty.
This measure would be extended to private hospitals soon, Mr Witthaya said.
The H1N1 flu pandemic remains at level 2, where the fatality rate is at 0.4% of the total number of flu infections.
Mr Witthaya said the situation was not too severe and there was no need to ban activities in crowded places, such as concerts, pubs or bars.
However, operators of such places have been asked to make sure their places are hygienic and to isolate customers with flu-like symptoms. Tuition and language schools have been told to close for two weeks starting today.
Thawee Chotipittayasunont, a specialist at the Medical Services Department, said the H1N1 pandemic would remain in the country for at least a year and the level of the severity of the infection could increase further.
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