Thailand issues pneumonia warning

BANGKOK, October 23 (TNA) - Thailand’s Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong on Wednesday renewed his warning over pneumonia in the country after some 63,000 cases were logged during the monsoon period from May to September, including 300 deaths. Pradit said the death toll included 70 elderly people and children, who were easily susceptible to respiratory problems and flu due to the longer rainy season this year. Local health officials in the country had been told to organize public campaigns on the health concern and deploy medical teams to assist flood victims prone to water-borne diseases. Pneumonia is known to be a severe infectious disease, caused by bacteria and virus. Common symptoms include high fever, frequent coughs with phlegm, chest pain and fatigue. (TNA)