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[Tigmond]

Virus may be re-emerging : ministery warns
By PONGPHON SARNSAMAK
THE NATION
Published on September 6, 2010

The Public Health Ministry has warned of a widespread return of the 2009 flu virus after reports that two people in Lop Buri and Nonthaburi provinces died from the infection of the type-A (H1N1) virus last week, raising the death toll for this year to 57.

About 260 people have been hit with the flu-like symptoms in the last two weeks, lifting the number of infected cases this year to 8,442.

Recent cases have been reported in 20 provinces between August 15-28, including : Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakan, Lop Buri, Sa Kaew, Sing Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Chon Buri, Ayutthaya, Uthai Thani, Sukhothai, Phayao, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Rai, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et,Si Sa Ket, Khon Kaen, Kalasin,Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Pattani, and Songkhla.

"We found the number of infected cases from type-A (H1N1) influenza virus has been rising continuously in the northern and north-eastern regions," Department of Disease Control's director-general Dr Manit Teeratantikanont said.

According to a flu infection surveillance report during August 22-28 from 710 hospitals across the country, 232 hospitals in 68 provinces saw an increase in the number of patients with influenza-like illness to over 10 percent, exceeding the standard ratio of 5 percent or lower.

In Nakhon Sawan, a group of 228 young monks in a temple at Tak Fa district developed the flu-like symptoms during August 13 - 26, and 36 of them were sent to undergo medical treatment. The remainder received the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.

The hospital's medical staff confirmed the infection was of the type-A (H1N1) virus. Public health officials vaccinated the healthy monks and urged them to clean their accommodation.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, 49 medical workers at the local hospital developed flu-like symptoms and throat swab tests showed that 19 had been infected with the 2009 flu virus.

Four were surgery room staff. All patients were given Tamiflu as the hospital conducted a vaccination campaign. No new cases of infection have been reported so far.

In Bangkok, 3,563 students at a school in the Sikan-Don Muang area, have contracted the virus since the end of July. Most were primary school students. They were admitted to Vibhavadi General Hospital and Mongkutwattana General Hospital.

Sample test results showed that 10 Pathom 1 students were infected with the type B influenza virus and six students from Pathom 3 had the 2009 flu virus.

In Sukhothai, 33 police students from a police camp at Muang district's Tam bon Wang Tra Kor had flu-like symptoms and five were admitted to Sukhothai hospital. All are said to be getting better.

The 2009 flu virus spread through Thailand in April that year and infected 30,336 cases and killed 197.

In July,the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the end of the type-A (H1N1) pandemic after it had spread to 214 countries and killed over 18,449 people around the world.

Source : http://www.nationmul...s-30137320.html