No epidemic from Thailand's flooding this year

BANGKOK, September 29 (TNA) - The Public Health Ministry says there have been no reports of any epidemic outbreak from Thailand's flooding so far this year. Thai Public Health Minister Wittaya Buranasiri confirmed Saturday that his ministry has had no record of any epidemic in flood-hit areas as of September 26. The minister acknowledged, however, that seven people died and 44 were injured in flood-related incidents. Of the death victims, the minister said, five drowned and one died from electric shock. However, Dr. Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, Director-General of the ministry's Department of Disease Control, cautioned the public to protect themselves from possible water-borne diseases, suggesting that people wear life jackets and boots when they have to wade through floodwater, regularly clean their hands, drink clean water, tie garbage bags tightly and avoid mosquito bites. (TNA)