Students to wear face masks at Dharmmakaya

All students and teachers at the Phitsanulok Phitthayakhom school yesterday wore face masks in their classrooms in a bid to guard against the influenza A (H1N1). The precaution was strictly enforced after one of the school’s students was admitted to a hos

The minister, Witthaya Kaewparadai has expressed a greater concern over the massive infection of influenza A (H1N1) among 500,000 students who will today gather together at religious event at Pathumtani province's Wat Dhammakaya.

He said he has ordered the minsitry's permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot to ask the Office of National of Buddhism to provide face masks and hand wash gel distribute to the attendees.

"They might get infection from the ill person who do not protect themselves by wear face mask," he said. "The disease could easily infect via droplet so this is the best way to prevent the infection."

He added that the ministry will purchase 10 million face masks to distribute to people across country.

He was speaking at the meeting of national sub committee for information of influenza A (H1N1) pandemic which held at Public Health Ministry and chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart.

Moreover, Deputy Public Health Minister, Manit Nopamornbhodhi also will distribute face mask and hand wash gel to people who will attend the concert of popular singer Sukrit Bie Wisetkaew at the Impact Arena Bangkok.

The Health Ministry yesterday reported 146 new cases of influenza A (H1N1), bringing the total infections to 3,071 cases. Of this number, eleven patient were undergoing medical treatment at hospital due to critical conditions.

However 2,735 people had fully recovered. Among the new cases, 125 patients were people aged under 25-year-old including students.

Now Thailand has 15 fatalities caused by the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. The new strain of influenza has claimed yesterday claimed the 15 th fatality, a 63-year-old woman in Samut Prakarn who had heart disease. The woman succumbed to the flu after being admitted to a hospital in Samut Prakarn.

Disease Control Depart-ment spokesperson Dr Suppamit Chunsutiwat estimated that over 6 million to 30 million people will get the new flu virus infection and about 600 people to 1,200 people will die during the pandemic as most of people do not have immunity against the type A (H1N1) of influenza.

"The pandemic will stay with us two years to three year then will become the annual flu," he said.

"That's why the preventive measure is the most necessary to reduce the number of infected cases," he added.

Suppamit also expressed his concern about the overuse of antiviral drug oseltamivir in patient as it might cause resistant to the disease. He said the drug is needed to provide only  patient who has low immunity, patient with underlying disease, patient with obesity, pregnant woman, elderly people and children aged under five year old.

The drug must be given to those who has sign of severity such as rapid breathing more than 50 times per minutes and 40 times per minute in children aged between 1 year old to 5 year old.

To curb with the surging of infection, the Public  Health Ministry and Department of Public Relation will ask Bt 79 million from the government to conduct massive campaign against flu infection via all kinds of media.

Sanan said he will seek the approval for the budget to campaign against flu virus from the cabinet meeting next week.

The Health Ministry also initiates the fancy campaign so called "The mask of hero" which encouraging all people wear face mask to prevent the disease infection.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai  will be presenters for the campaign which kick off on July 27, said the Health Ministry's spokesperson, Dr Taveesilp Wisanuyothin.

Dr Sayomporn Sirinavin of Ramathibhodi Hospital asked the Health Ministry to stop campaign eating food when it's hot, using the middle spoon and hand washing, and Big Cleaning Day.

She said the ministry should instead urge people who have mild symptom of influenza to stay at home, wearing face mask or closing mouth or nose when wheezing, frequently hand washing, and avoiding using hand to touch face, eyes, and mouth.

However, she said during the past five days, at least 250 patients came to seek the medication for flu at hospitals.