24 provinces now have typeA (H1N1) flu cases

The ministry reported 71 new confirmed cases, 11 of which are undergoing treatment in hospital. None of the hospitalised cases has severe symptoms.

It also reported that Bangkok was the hardesthit area with 349 reported cases to date, followed by Nonthaburi (82), Pathum Thani (63), Chon Buri (30), Samut Prakan (27), Nakhon Pathom (eight), Phuket (four) and Chiang Mai (two).

The Public Health Ministry's deputy permanent secretary, Dr Paijit Warachit, said 70 schools and nine universities had reported cases of typeA (H1N1) infection.

"So far, we have found that most of the infected people are students," he said.

He added that the ministry would collaborate with the Education Ministry in an attempt to control the spread of the disease among students.

The World Health Organisation reported that 39,620 cases people had now been infected with the flu virus, and that 167 of them had died.

There have been no fatalities reported in Thailand.

In a bid to allay public fears over the spread of the virus, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai yesterday said he had ordered provincial health officers and health volunteers across the country to disseminate information about how to prevent infection, such as wearing a face mask and frequently washing one's hands.

He said the new flu virus had a low severity and mortality rate. Those with mild symptoms should stay at home and take feverreducing medicine. This should enable them to recover within seven days, as well as minimise the spread of the flu to others.

Patients with severe symptoms - the vomiting of green mucus, running a temperature of at least 38 degrees Celsius, chest pain and body aches - should immediately seek medical attention at a nearby hospital, he said.

Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir will only be prescribed for those with severe illness. If they are under the care of a physician, treatment results are generally effective, said the minister.