Alert for three types of flu over winter

Surveillance was especially needed in 11 provinces which had a history of birdflu outbreaks, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said yesterday.

He spoke after meeting 240 government doctors and chiefs of provincial public health offices across the country.

The 11 provinces are Sukhothai, Tak, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit and Uthai Thani in the North, and Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Lop Buri and Ayutthaya in the Central.

There have been reports of unusually high poultry deaths in Chiang Rai, Lampang, Tak, Phitsanulok and Si Sa Ket.

Witthaya cited the recent death of a woman who was six months pregnant, saying he has ordered all state hospitals to give special care to any pregnant women with flulike symptoms.

Permanent secretary Dr Phaijit Warachit said seasonal flu, the 2009 influenza and the avian flu all had identical symptoms: fever, coughing, runny nose - and all could be cured by Oseltamivir.

Public health volunteers have been ordered to educate villagers about possible outbreaks of both the both the 2009 influenza and birdflu, and report any outbreak of suspicious cases over the next four months till the end of February next year.

State hospitals would have special rooms and facilities to diagnose suspicious cases as well as to provide medications to flu victims.

Farm workers and cattle or pig breeders who are sick were advised to stop working till they felt better, to prevent any crossbreeding of the viruses that cause the 2009 flu and the avian flu.