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Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/29397/second-wave-of-h1n1-flu-hits-thailand
Second wave of H1N1 flu hits Thailand
* Published: 17/12/2009 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: News
An estimated 2 million Thais are at risk of contracting type-A (H1N1) influenza following the re-emergence of the pandemic, experts say.
Up to 90 deaths are also expected in the second wave unless strict surveillance measures are undertaken by local communities to deal with the spread of the virus, said Kamnuan Ungchusak, a medical expert with the Disease Control Department.
"Whoever thought the type-A (H1N1) flu pandemic is over is completely wrong," Dr Kamnuan told the 2nd National Health Assembly on its opening day yesterday.
"The second wave will continue until February and the virus will remain widespread until it becomes a seasonal flu strain."
The epidemiologist said 8 million Thais had contracted the type-A (H1N1) flu during its first wave from April to October. Six million exhibited flu symptoms and there were 185 deaths.
In Chon Buri, meanwhile, a 72-year-old woman who suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma died from the type-A (H1N1) influenza on Sunday.
The latest death brings the number of flu fatalities in the country to 190.
Permanent secretary for health Paijit Warachit said the pandemic's second wave was caused by a combination of lower temperatures during the cool season and the spread of the virus from more northern countries.
Festive season activities which involve plenty of contact with strangers was also a factor in the looming pandemic, he said.
He said it was crucial people took precautions to protect themselves.
Dr Paijit gave an assurance the 2 million doses of imported flu vaccine were not from the same lot just withdrawn in the US.
The quality was good, he said.
Almost 800,000 children's doses of flu vaccine have been recalled in the US by manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur because they had lost some of their potency, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Second wave of H1N1 flu hits Thailand
* Published: 17/12/2009 at 12:00 AM
* Newspaper section: News
An estimated 2 million Thais are at risk of contracting type-A (H1N1) influenza following the re-emergence of the pandemic, experts say.
Up to 90 deaths are also expected in the second wave unless strict surveillance measures are undertaken by local communities to deal with the spread of the virus, said Kamnuan Ungchusak, a medical expert with the Disease Control Department.
"Whoever thought the type-A (H1N1) flu pandemic is over is completely wrong," Dr Kamnuan told the 2nd National Health Assembly on its opening day yesterday.
"The second wave will continue until February and the virus will remain widespread until it becomes a seasonal flu strain."
The epidemiologist said 8 million Thais had contracted the type-A (H1N1) flu during its first wave from April to October. Six million exhibited flu symptoms and there were 185 deaths.
In Chon Buri, meanwhile, a 72-year-old woman who suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma died from the type-A (H1N1) influenza on Sunday.
The latest death brings the number of flu fatalities in the country to 190.
Permanent secretary for health Paijit Warachit said the pandemic's second wave was caused by a combination of lower temperatures during the cool season and the spread of the virus from more northern countries.
Festive season activities which involve plenty of contact with strangers was also a factor in the looming pandemic, he said.
He said it was crucial people took precautions to protect themselves.
Dr Paijit gave an assurance the 2 million doses of imported flu vaccine were not from the same lot just withdrawn in the US.
The quality was good, he said.
Almost 800,000 children's doses of flu vaccine have been recalled in the US by manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur because they had lost some of their potency, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.