No new H1N1 cases in Thailand
May 22, 2009 3:26 am
BANGKOK, May 21 -– Lab tests have confirmed that Thailand has experienced no new H1N1 cases, Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi said on Thursday.
The tests confirmed that the husband of the German tourist who died of pneumonia last Saturday, tested negative for the new Type A/H1N1 influenza, he said.
The 65-year-old German woman arrived in Thailand on May 12 in good health but developed a fever and died on May 18.
A 17-year-old boy, whose mother returned from China, is also free of the H1N1 virus, according to the laboratory tests. The boy, living in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket, is one of 22 flu cases currently under surveillance in Thailand under the strict measures to prevent an outbreak of H1N1.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, chairman of the strategic planning committee to combat what is being termed the New Influenza A (H1N1) said that specialists worldwide are considering prototype swine flu vaccine production, looking into the latest situation and the effects of vaccine.
The influenza vaccine program, introduced in the US in 1978 when there were reports of 200-300 swine flu cases in New Jersey, was followed by reports of the vaccine’s side effects, Dr. Tawee said.
However, seasonal flu vaccine used in many countries — including Thailand at the moment is safe, he said.
Thailand has also evaluated the situation. If swine flu vaccine production is to be started here, it must purchase prototype vaccines from other countries, he added. (PNA/TNA)
DCT/vcs/rsm
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