PUBLIC URGED TO KEEP WASHING THEIR HANDS

       The Public Health Ministry yesterday urged people to be vigilant in frequently washing their hands and wearing face masks when they are in public areas, in a bid to slow down the second wave of the type-A (H1N1) influenza virus expected to re-emerge from next month until January.
       The move comes after the ministry learned that people nationwide have been ignoring personal hygiene in flu prevention - such as eating well cooked food, not sharing spoons, frequently washing hands, and using face masks.
       "We know that good personal hygiene among individuals is the key preventive tool against the pandemic. But nowadays, because people are not taking precautions, a second wave of the pandemic is certain," he said.
       The Public Health Ministry yesterday announced that seven more people - five men and two women- had succumbed to the new flu virus during the past seven days, bringing the total deaths to 160.
       Most of fatalities were reported in six provinces including Si Sa Ket with two deaths, followed by Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, Songkhla, Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai, each with one.
       The ministry estimated over 5 million people have been infected with the new flu virus during the past four months since the outbreak hit Thailand.
       " We need collaboration from members of the public to prevent a second wave," Witthaya added.
       The Department of Medical Science's National Influenza Centre has conducted a study of 2,011 samples collected from patients with flu-like illness admitted to nine hospitals across country from January 1 to July 31. It found 44 per cent had been infected with the new type-A (H1N1), virus while the remainder were infected with seasonal flu.
       However, the number of patients with the new flu virus admitted to hospital had dropped from 10,000 cases per day to 8,000.
       The coming end of the rainy season and the beginning of winter season's cool weather could cause the disease to spread more easily, Witthaya said. Provincial public health offices nationwide should strictly implement preventive measures against the new flu virus pandemic.
       The ministry's deputy public health minister, Dr Paijit Warachit said people with chronic disease should seek medical treatment at hospital immediately if they develop high fever, while others are advised to go to hospital on the second day after a high fever develops.
       To boost public immunity against the new flu infection, Paijit said the government had ordered two million doses of inactivated vaccine. The first lot of 1 million doses will arrive in Thailand in December, while the second lot will be despatched in January next year.Medical workers, pregnant women, and patients with chronic disease will be the first to receive vaccination.
       Meanwhile, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) had decided to delay the first phase of clinical trials of a vaccine against a new strain of type A (H1N1) influenza from September 24 to October 6 after tests with guinea pigs found one had an infection in its lungs. Results of the new tests will be released in two weeks. Vaccine trials with 24 human volunteers have been delayed.
       Meantime, GPO has produced a third lot of the vaccine against the new flu virus and stored it.