H1N1 flu kills over 40 victims in Thailand this year

BANGKOK, April 23 (TNA) - The influenza A virus subtype H1N1 has killed 45 people in Thailand since early this year. Dr. Sopon Mekthon, Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Public Health's Department of Disease Control, told reporters of the situation on Wednesday, acknowledging that the virus first spread in Thailand in 2010 and did again this year, with the death toll of 45 so far. Dr. Sopon elaborated that, from January 5-April 19, 2014, there were 29,821 H1N1 influenza patients in 21 provinces of all Thai regions, including Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Chai Nat, Samut Prakan, Chanthaburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Si Sa Ket, Udon Thani, Yasothon, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Rayong, with its highest mortality reported among people aged 55-64, followed by those aged 45-54. According to the senior health official, people with the highest risk of developing the disease are those with chronic diseases, followed by pregnant women and the elderly aged up to 65. Meanwhile, the director-general of the Department of Disease Control opened a seminar on “Prevention and Control for Disease and Health Hazard… Outstanding Roles in the Asian Community” in Ubon Ratchathani Province in the Thai Northeast on Wednesday, aimed to address control on diseases in the Thai North and those from adjacent countries. (TNA)