Thai seaman's cause of death confirmed to be A (H1N1)

BANGKOK, June 29 (TNA) - Thailand’s third virus-related fatality was reported on Monday, while 41 new cases were recorded, bringing the total number of A (H1N1) cases to 1,330 since late April.

The Public Health Ministry confirmed 21-year-old naval trainee Nattapong Faijaidee, at Chonburi's Sattaheep Naval Base, died from the virus on Monday morning. The victim was obese and had suffered severe symptoms. He was on a respirator and his lungs were severely infected and bleeding.

Some 200 of the other navy seamen, earlier found to be infected with the A (H1N1) virus meanwhile had fully recovered but were under quarantine for another few days.

A medical official said there was another patient in serious condition, a 47-year-old man with pneumonia, who was now on a respirator.

A patient suspected to have been infected with the virus was also recently reported in the southern province of Trang, a 14-year old male studying in Bangkok who had returned to his hometown with high fever. A lab test result would be made within Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said government medical investigators were investigating other possible factors which might have contributed to the deaths of the country’s three Influenza A (H1N1) patients.

He said the public health ministry already had measures for hospitals to monitor and contain the virus, while further campaigns were needed to convince the public to seek medical treatment if falling sick with flu-like symptoms.

The A (H1N1) virus has spread quickly in the past two weeks, with reports of up to 90 new cases daily. (TNA)