Public health

       Remember a couple of weeks ago the government stopped reporting on the H1N1 influenza? Because it had pretty well stopped, and there were no deaths for a week? Yes, well, just kidding.Kamnuan Ungchusak, a Public Health Ministry disease control expert said to stand by for a second wave of swine flu,quite possibly worse than the first wave,which killed 182 people and closed all Bangkok schools for more than a week.The fears stem from a sudden upsurge in H1N1 cases in North America, where children in particular are being struck down by the virus. The weather is cooling,schools are resuming class and (one hopes) the tourist high season is approaching. Also, the long-promised anti-flu vaccine isn't ready, won't be for weeks, oh, make that months. All of these facts are good for flu, bad for humans. Ah, but that's not all. Permanent secretary for public health Paijit Warachit called a meeting of health and livestock officials. He fears that the H5N1 avian flu is set to strike again as well.But big problems loom, potentially political tsunami. In Thailand, in the US -where flu is already an official national emergency - and around the world,authorities have somehow botched the vaccine that would protect tens of millions from the H1N1 pandemic. Thai authorities say tests may begin in midwinter. Despite months of soothing talk and preparation, the Obama administration can't produce enough vaccine to provide shots for President Obama's daughters. The promises of vaccine have proved hollow, and governments may pay for that prevarication if the H1N1 does indeed hit hard, as feared.