Campaigns intensify as flu numbers rise

Health officials will greet concert-goers at the Indoor Stadium Huamark this Saturday in a bid to boost their awareness about type-A(H1N1) influenza. Concert-goers will receive advice on how to protect themselves from influenza infection and anyone showing flu-like symptoms will be given facemasks and a hand-washing gel. Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi and a medical team from the Department of Disease Control also campaigned on infection prevention at Mo Chit Station yesterday - distributing up to 10,000 facemasks, 3,000 alcohol-based hand washing gels, and 10,000 manuals. He has ordered provincial officers across the country to raise awareness on flu prevention and disseminate information at all bus stations. Yesterday the Public Health Ministry announced the number of influenza A (H1N1) cases had leaped to 899 in 28 provinces across the country, after 125 new cases had been confirmed. Public Health Minister, Witthaya Kaewparadai said 60 of the new cases were students and eleven were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Bangkok. Since the new influenza first arrived in Thailand in late April, 888 victims have recovered from it. The World Health Organisation reported that worldwide the new flu virus has infected 52,160 cases, killing 231 people in 99 countries. A 57-year-old woman, treated at a private hospital in Thonburi after being infected with the new flu virus and then contracting pneumonia, remains in intensive care in a critical condition. The Public Health Ministry's deputy permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said her condition had improved slightly but she still needed a respirator. " She has responded well to an antiviral drug and signs are good for recovery," he said.