Confirmed cases now five, with 19 under observation

"If they develop flu-like symptoms within seven days of returning, they will be told to undergo treatment at hospital immediately," Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said yesterday.

He made the announcement while meeting with senior health officers at the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre.

To date, Thailand has five confirmed cases of the new flu.

The latest confirmed case is an 18-year-old woman who arrived in Bangkok from the United States on May 27.

The Public Health Ministry yesterday detected three suspected cases of the new flu at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

They were quarantined and received medication at a hospital in Bangkok, bringing to 19 the number of patients under surveillance and pending lab confirmation.

The World Health Organisation has reported 17,410 type-A (H1N1) infections in more than 62 countries, as well as 115 deaths.

Students returning from abroad after summer camp and going back to school in Thailand will be monitored by school staff for symptoms such as slight fever, cough or runny nose.

They will be sent to hospital immediately if they develop flu-like symptoms.

Other students who have been with family in the US should conduct self-monitoring and check-ups on their return.

They too should wear a face mask and undergo hospital treatment if flu-like symptoms occur within seven days.

 The Public Health Ministry's deputy permanent secretary, Dr Paijit Warachit, said Thais living abroad for long periods might tend to neglect influenza precautions and not realise they are carriers of the virus when re-entering Thailand.

Such behaviour, he said, would result in the spread of the disease throughout the Kingdom.

As the outbreak of the new virus seems no worse than a mild flu season, Paijit accepted that screening was less effective than preventive measures.

The main focus will be on returnees already in the country.

Thermal scanners at Suvarnabhumi Airport screened 1,164,980 passengers between April 27 and June 1.

Yesterday alone, 29,826 travellers were scanned.

Health officials found 18 passengers had developed a fever, while three others were sent to |hospital for observation and quarantine.