Schools to be closed to prevent spread of H1N1 virus
The Thai government will close 435 schools, 200 nurseries, and 13 occupational training centers for five days in Bangkok to prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. Thailand has reported total of 4,057 cases of H1N1 also known as swine flu since Mid May.
Meanwhile Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will address the country through TV to calm the panicked public, together with senior doctors from the health ministry. The planned television comes as the public ministry reported three more deaths due to the virus infection bringing the total number of deaths to 24.
The World Health Organisation said on 13-July that H1N1 virus was unstoppable and gave drug makers full go ahead to manufacture vaccines. The WHO raised the global flu alert to the highest level on June 11, declaring a pandemic was under way from the H1N1 strain.
Although the new disease has so far caused only mild symptoms in most patients, more than 400 people have died globally and experts fear the death toll could surge without a widespread immunisation programme.
In related news, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to distribute 2 million face masks to city residents and it will encourage Bangkokians to wear the protective gear in public areas.
The Public Health Ministry will spend 600 million baht to buy 2 million doses of H1N1 vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur, and another 250 million baht on 10 million tablets of the anti-flu drug oseltamivir.