Health executive allays concerns on Hong Kong influenza

BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) -- Thai people should not be concerned about spreading influenza in Hong Kong because it is a seasonal incident and travels to the country can continue as usual with due precautions, the director-general of the Disease Control Department said today. Dr Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, the director-general, said the influenza in Hong Kong resulted from the Influenza A H3N2 virus and the World Health Organization had not issued a travel ban on Hong Kong. Thai authorities acted accordingly but advised visitors to Hong Kong to stay away from crowded areas, frequently wash their hands and wear face masks, Dr Jedsada said. Hong Kong people could visit Thailand as usual as airport officials were using thermal scanners to screen visitors, he said. According to Dr Jedsada, from Jan 1 to July 23 there were 47,470 influenza patients in Thailand, showing the patient-per-population ratio of 72.55:100,000. Five patients died. To prevent influenza, he advised people to keep themselves warm, wear face masks, wash hands regularly, eat heated food, and use serving spoons. Influenza vaccine is available free for people in risk groups: people aged over 65 years; people with cancer, brain illness, chronic illness, diabetes, and blood pressure problems; women pregnant for more than four months and children aged 0-2 years. (TNA)