http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/20026/1200-thais-likely-to-die-of-flu
News » Local News
1,200 Thais likely to die of flu
30 million could catch virus over three years
By: POST REPORTERS
Published: 11/07/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Up to 30 million Thais are likely to contract influenza type-A (H1N1) and up to 1,200 people could possibly die from it, the Public Health Ministry says.
Of those who contract the virus, only 30,000-130,000 would have symptoms serious enough to warrant hospital admission, said Prasert Thongcharoen, chairman of the ministry's subcommittee overseeing the response to the A (H1N1) flu outbreak.
The figures are based on the panel's estimate that the pandemic will last from one to three years.
Deaths from A (H1N1) in the country stood at 15 yesterday. The latest victim to die from the virus was a 63-year-old woman in Samut Prakan province who contracted the flu and died from blood circulation problems and kidney failure.
Dr Prasert suggested health authorities focus on telling people how to protect themselves from the virus and prevent transmission.
"Social gatherings and activities which draw many people, such as concerts, should be postponed or cancelled to reduce the flu transmission rate," said Dr Prasert.
Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai has called a meeting of medical experts and state agencies to discuss measures to halt the virus. This comes amid mounting public criticism that the government is moving too slowly in its efforts to control the disease.
Mr Chuan has called a meeting today of epidemiologists from medical schools and hospitals, including Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Ramathibodi Hospital.
City Hall's medical unit, and Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai will also be there.
Kamnuan Ungchusak, the Disease Control Department's spokesman, said the pandemic in Thailand stands at level 2, where the fatality rate is at 0.4% of the total number of flu infections.
The measure is adapted from the US Centers for Disease Control and Infection standards. Accordingly, the Public Health Ministry categorises the severity in five levels based on fatality rates.
At level 2, health officials would ask the public to avoid crowded places and take other precautions, he said.
Curbs on access to public places where the virus could be transmitted easily would be imposed from level 3, where the fatality rate is 0.5%-1% and above.
Access in and out of the country might be ultimately banned at level 5, when deaths have reached more than 2%.
Deputy Prime Minister Maj Gen Sanan Kachornprasart, chairman of the national influenza committee, said he would ask the cabinet to approve 70 million baht in funding for a new campaign against A (H1N1).
The flu pandemic has caused hardship to business operators, particularly shopping centres.
Wicha Han, executive vice-president of Siam Piwat Co, said the spread of A (H1N1) has cut the number of shoppers at its three stores - Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery and Siam Center.
The number of foreign tourists prepared to shop has fallen by half because of concerns about the flu and the economic crisis.
Currently, foreign tourists represent 40% of total shoppers at the three stores.
"However, we will see a decline in local shoppers next, now that the authorities ordered tutorial schools to close down for 15 days, starting from next week," he said.
Many tutorial schools do business around Siam Square, which is opposite the three shopping centres.
Cinemas say they have yet to feel any impact, but are still taking precautions on behalf of customers.
Suvanee Chinchiewchan, deputy managing director of SF Cinema City Co, said the number of patrons turning up to see films has not changed.
"We run an ozone machine to kill odours and spray to get rid of germs at the end of every movie," she said.
Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said language schools are being asked to join tutorial schools in closing for two weeks.
Nationwide, the number of private tutorial schools and language schools which will close from Monday to July 28 is 2,310, he said.
Mr Jurin said the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and Professional Aptitude Test (PAT) scheduled for this month would go ahead as planned.
Panit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the flu's spread might worsen the economic contraction in the third quarter to a 4-5% drop from 2-3% forecast previously.
Information and Communication Technology Minister Ranongruk Suwunchwee urged internet cafes and online game shops to close temporarily as well.
News » Local News
1,200 Thais likely to die of flu
30 million could catch virus over three years
By: POST REPORTERS
Published: 11/07/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Up to 30 million Thais are likely to contract influenza type-A (H1N1) and up to 1,200 people could possibly die from it, the Public Health Ministry says.
Of those who contract the virus, only 30,000-130,000 would have symptoms serious enough to warrant hospital admission, said Prasert Thongcharoen, chairman of the ministry's subcommittee overseeing the response to the A (H1N1) flu outbreak.
The figures are based on the panel's estimate that the pandemic will last from one to three years.
Deaths from A (H1N1) in the country stood at 15 yesterday. The latest victim to die from the virus was a 63-year-old woman in Samut Prakan province who contracted the flu and died from blood circulation problems and kidney failure.
Dr Prasert suggested health authorities focus on telling people how to protect themselves from the virus and prevent transmission.
"Social gatherings and activities which draw many people, such as concerts, should be postponed or cancelled to reduce the flu transmission rate," said Dr Prasert.
Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai has called a meeting of medical experts and state agencies to discuss measures to halt the virus. This comes amid mounting public criticism that the government is moving too slowly in its efforts to control the disease.
Mr Chuan has called a meeting today of epidemiologists from medical schools and hospitals, including Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Ramathibodi Hospital.
City Hall's medical unit, and Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai will also be there.
Kamnuan Ungchusak, the Disease Control Department's spokesman, said the pandemic in Thailand stands at level 2, where the fatality rate is at 0.4% of the total number of flu infections.
The measure is adapted from the US Centers for Disease Control and Infection standards. Accordingly, the Public Health Ministry categorises the severity in five levels based on fatality rates.
At level 2, health officials would ask the public to avoid crowded places and take other precautions, he said.
Curbs on access to public places where the virus could be transmitted easily would be imposed from level 3, where the fatality rate is 0.5%-1% and above.
Access in and out of the country might be ultimately banned at level 5, when deaths have reached more than 2%.
Deputy Prime Minister Maj Gen Sanan Kachornprasart, chairman of the national influenza committee, said he would ask the cabinet to approve 70 million baht in funding for a new campaign against A (H1N1).
The flu pandemic has caused hardship to business operators, particularly shopping centres.
Wicha Han, executive vice-president of Siam Piwat Co, said the spread of A (H1N1) has cut the number of shoppers at its three stores - Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery and Siam Center.
The number of foreign tourists prepared to shop has fallen by half because of concerns about the flu and the economic crisis.
Currently, foreign tourists represent 40% of total shoppers at the three stores.
"However, we will see a decline in local shoppers next, now that the authorities ordered tutorial schools to close down for 15 days, starting from next week," he said.
Many tutorial schools do business around Siam Square, which is opposite the three shopping centres.
Cinemas say they have yet to feel any impact, but are still taking precautions on behalf of customers.
Suvanee Chinchiewchan, deputy managing director of SF Cinema City Co, said the number of patrons turning up to see films has not changed.
"We run an ozone machine to kill odours and spray to get rid of germs at the end of every movie," she said.
Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said language schools are being asked to join tutorial schools in closing for two weeks.
Nationwide, the number of private tutorial schools and language schools which will close from Monday to July 28 is 2,310, he said.
Mr Jurin said the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and Professional Aptitude Test (PAT) scheduled for this month would go ahead as planned.
Panit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the flu's spread might worsen the economic contraction in the third quarter to a 4-5% drop from 2-3% forecast previously.
Information and Communication Technology Minister Ranongruk Suwunchwee urged internet cafes and online game shops to close temporarily as well.
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