Thailand confirms 109 new (A) H1N1 cases

BANGKOK, June 16 (TNA) - Thailand's Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday confirmed 109 new Influenza A (H1N1) diagnoses, raising the country’s total number of cases to 310.

Deputy Minister of Public Health Manit Nopamornbodhi urged the public not to over-react to the rising number of new infections. He said the number of H1N1 cases is still much less than that of normal flu patients, estimated at about 17,400 cases in 2008.

“The Public Health Ministry has discussed with related-agencies laying out preventive measures and treatment. Not all H1N1 patients need special medication, but another level of treatment will be provided to risk-group patients,” the minister said.

The at-risk group patients are the elderly, children at a very young age and patients with certain congenital diseases.

Mr. Manit added that the ministry will distribute one million handbooks with instructions for the public to protect themselves from the new virus to Thai people across the nation in the next few days.

Meanwhile, Dr. Prat Boonyawongviroj, Permanent Secretary for Public Health, said that the Influenza Type A (H1N1) has lowest rate of fatality at 0.5 per cent, compared to 60 per cent death rate of the bird flu, and 80 per cent of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Dr. Prat said that, as with seasonal common flu, H1N1 patients can heal themselves with sufficient rest and water consumption, but that anti-viral drugs will be given to those who suffer chronic or congenital diseases.

He added that the number of H1N1 patients in Thailand will reach the highest level in July which is the rainy season. (TNA)