TYPE A (H1N1) VIRUS - Ministry urged to get ready for patient influx

Flu infections will increase drastically next month; flu jabs encouraged; Flu patients can't watch Liverpool

The Public Health Ministry yesterday was urged to prepare sufficient medical resources - including intensive care units, respirators and health experts - to handle the peak period of the type-A (H1N1) outbreak expected next month. Professor Prasert Thongcharoen, a leading virologist and chairman of the ministry's advisory committee on strategy for public health and medicine, said the ministry has learnt that number of patients would rise drastically in the next two to eight weeks as the virus is spreading more easily among people, especially in urban areas. Patients in rural areas would also increase over the next two to four months.The elderly and those with underlying diseases should receive the seasonal flu jab to protect them, he said.Patients with the 2009 flu virus will be crowding hospitals seeking medication over the next few months, especially those suffering from severe flu symptoms and those with critical conditions that could lead to death. "During the past three months we learnt that some patients infected with the new flu virus had died because they had gone to see a doctor too late and also suffered from underlying diseases. Patients in critical condition also had pneumonia," he said. According to the ministry's statement released last Wednesday, the new strain has claimed 24 lives in Thailand over the past three months and infected more than 4,469. Most patients made a full recovery within two or three days and most fatalities were among people who had put off treatment until it was too late.Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed great concern over the flu pandemic after the ministry's health experts reported the situation to the Cabinet at Government House. He looked worried upon hearing that the ministry will today issue its first weekly report on total morbidity and mortality from type-A (H1N1).He said he was afraid that people would panic after being informed about the increasing number of new flu cases.According to the epidemiological principal, the health experts' presentation to the Cabinet showed that the number of patients with type-A (H1N1) virus would more than double from 20,000 cases per week to 50,000 cases per week. This was based on the ratio of one death per 10,000 people infected with the new flu virus. "The most important thing we have to do is cut this cycle before it reaches its peak period," said a health expert, who wished to remain unnamed.Dr Somchai Chakrabhand, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said his agency has sent 1.2 million tablets of the antiviral oseltamivir to rural hospitals nationwide in bid to reverse the surge in patients with severe symptoms.Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, the department's spokesman, said patients with mild symptoms should stay home for seven weeks and wear a face mask. Those who have high fever and find it difficult to breathe for more than two days should report to hospital immediately.
Flu patients can't watch LiverpoolFootball lovers wanting to watch the Liverpool-Thailand friendly match will have to pass through thermal scanners to prove that they are free of type-A (H1N1) influenza. Chief of the Disease Control Department, Dr Somchai Chakrapan, said yesterday the Public Health Ministry would set up three scanners at the entrance of the Rajamangala National Stadium where the match will be held today. "We want to scan audience members to make sure they don't infect anyone else," he said. Those who have a fever will not be allowed in and their tickets would be refunded, he added. In addition, the ministry will also distribute face masks, though visitors are advised to bring their own.An informed source said PM Abhishit Vejjajiva agreed with the installation of thermal scanners and distribution of face masks, and has instructed Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai to work with match organisers to come up with more intensive measures. Asked if such moves would affect Thailand's image, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said tourists might be scared away if they believed there was a new outbreak in the country. In addition, the government has been informed that no other country was using thermal scanners because they are not effective in detecting people infected with the virus.

Source: The Nation