Swine Flu Deaths - H1N1 Thailand

25/11/2009 Since the first confirmed cases of H1N1 Swine Flu in Thailand on May 12th, there have been 185 Swine Flu deaths in Thailand. Worldwide, there have been about 6750 Swine Flu deaths to date. In Thailand there have been 63 new cases of type A (H1N1) Influenza reported during the first two weeks of November. It is estimated that 8.4 million Thais have been infected by the H1N1 virus since the first outbreak of Swine Flu.

With the onset of the cold weather in Thailand, a second round of the Swine Flu epidemic has begun.The Thai Government has stated that 2 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine have already been purchased and are considering whether to purchase an additional 800,000 doses. Health Agencies in all of Thailand’s provinces are implementing measures to try to restrict the outbreak during the Cold Season and the Thai Government has introduced a campaign called “Four to the Power of Four” to promote four ways to help prevent the Virus during these 4 critical months. The 4 preventative measures recommended are;

1. Wear a face mask.
2. Wash your hands frequently
3. Avoid crowded places
4. Do not go to work or school if suffering from flu like symptoms.

Whilst the 2nd wave of type A (H1N1) is expected to be less severe than the first, it is estimated that over 15 million Thai people will contract the virus with pre-school children the most at risk because many people have ceased taking any measures to try and prevent the virus.