ID :
57998
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 17:30
Auther :

Cabinet forms Thai national swine flu committee

BANGKOK, April 28 (TNA) - The Cabinet gave a green light to the formation of a national swine flu emergency response committee to oversee prevention operations against the deadly virus, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The prime minister said the panel will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart and its duties would be similar to committee set up previously to oversee the bird flu prevention measures.

He said the committee will work effectively in a unified manner and that it would coordinate directly with the World Health Organisation (WHO). Mr. Abhisit said he believed the flu would not have any impact to tourism industry in the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Dr. Praj Boonyawongvirot, Permanent Secretary for Public Health said Minister of Public Health Mr. Witthaya Kaewparadai would be deputy chairman and the member of the panel would come from related agencies.

The panel would be tasked to protect Thais from swine flu and to coordinate with international organisations on concerted measures to tackle the flu, he said.

A new virus has killed almost 150 people in Mexico, and more people have been infected in the United States, Canada and Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert level for the new flu strain to Phase 4, indicating a significantly increased risk of a global outbreak of a serious disease.

A group of New Zealand students visiting in Mexico returned home where health authorities confirmed 10 as having contracted the virus.

Deputy Public Health Minister, Manit Nopamornbodi earlier urged the public to trust the country’s public health officials, saying that Thailand’s health professionals meet international standards in dealing with the virus.

Medical doctors, nurses and related medical personnel are prepared to respond to the emergency if the flu is detected here, he said, and tourist check points have been set up to monitor risk groups including Mexican tourists and visitors from countries affected by the flu.

The tourists who were detected to have their body temperature more than 36 degrees Celcius would be asked have health checks, he said.

He said there are now 17 state hospitals on full flu alert and they will be assisted by the private sector. Medical instruments and drugs are ready to support the operation.

The minister urged the public not to be alarmed, and affirmed that pork can be consumed as usual but should be cooked properly. (TNA)



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