Hundreds line up for GPO swine-flu vaccine trial

The first 24 volunteers - who will first be treated with FluMist nasal spray - will be announced on August 16, and another 200 volunteers will be selected later for a second test, said Dr Wichai Chokewiwat.

Approval of the human trial is expected to be granted after a GPO board meeting on Tuesday.

There are fears that the outbreak will spread rapidly over the next two months, a period in which common flu usually peaks, said Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai, quoting an analysis by the ministry's Bureau of Epidemiology.

The outbreak period will possibly continue into January and February next year, the connecting period between the wet and cold seasons - also a period for common and seasonal flu.

"But greater public awareness and extensive and more preventive measures already in place can be regarded as positive factors that the outbreak will not get out of control," Witthaya said. He called for good hygiene habits to be maintained - sick people should rest at home and good hand-washing routines should always be maintained.

A new website - www.flu2009thailand.com - offers an interactive test for visitors to check whether they are fine, already have the common flu or the type-A (H1N1) flu.

A government campaign entitled "Join the Power to Fight 2009 Influenza" will soon begin, said Dr Mongkhol na Songkhla, a member of a government committee to curb and control the disease.

The campaign aims to protect more than 33 million people divided into seven sectors: 20 million schoolchildren at primary and secondary levels; millions in university and colleges; 2.6 million commuters using land and marine public transport each day; and 2 million people who are military personnel and their families.

The fifth group are Bangkok residents using public utilities such as pubic parks and markets; 9 million beneficiaries and labourers protected through various social welfare funds and benefits; and members of 6,746 tambon administrative organisation across the country.

Supervisory bodies of each section will work out their measures to protect their members under this government campaign, said Mongkhol.

The committee will initially provide a cheaper hand-washing gel to be provided free to commuters at train stations, subway and Skytrain stations and at piers of passenger boats along the Chao Phya River in Bangkok.