Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
More people infected by flu
By The Nation
Published on January 28, 2010
Over the past week, another 46 people have come down with the type-A (H1N1) virus Khon Kaen, Angthong, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan and Chiang Mai.
The Public Health Ministry, however, confirmed that the influenza had not claimed any lives between January 18 and 24, though the risk is still there.
Since the type-A (H1N1) influenza was detected in Thailand, it killed as many as 198 people to date.
Therefore, the Public Health Ministry is now calling on people to get vaccinated against the deadly virus and has made the vaccination available for free at hospitals nationwide.
"We will launch campaigns to encourage more people to get the vaccine," Public Health Ministry's deputy permanent secretary Dr Siriwat Thiptaradol said yesterday.
According to him, just 53,000 people have gone for their vaccinations since it was made available on Monday. Of those who have been vaccinated, only 20 or so people have developed minor side effects.
Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, who heads Bureau of General Communicable Diseases, said Chiang Rai saw the highest number of people coming for the vaccine.
"Up to 2,000 doses have been dispensed there," he said.
In a related development, Thailand is now seeking a new vaccine that can be injected because there have been reports of people developing a resistance to the ones administered orally and nasally.
Japan is the first country to have started using the Paramivir - the medicine for injection - on patients who are too weak to be given the oral or nasal versions.
Paramivir can be used instead of the highly effective Zanamivir or the widely available Oseltamivir, said Thawee Chotiphitthayasunont, an expert with the Medical Services Department.
"Injected medicine is vital for patients in a serious condition, whose digestion system cannot absorb the orally administered version. Plus, the medicine in mist form does not work well with patients whose lungs are already infected. A vaccine that is injected directly into the veins is more effective," he added.
The World Health Organisation is supporting the research of a new medicine to fight Swine flu, while Zanamivir and Oseltamivir are being developed so they can be administered intravenously.
About 100 patients are reported to have developed resistance to the type-A (H1N1) vaccines around the world, with four cases in Thailand.
Thawee added that Thai authorities needed to conduct research on what needs to be done in case there is another outbreak and patients prove resistant to available drugs.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/01/28/national/national_30121302.php
By The Nation
Published on January 28, 2010
Over the past week, another 46 people have come down with the type-A (H1N1) virus Khon Kaen, Angthong, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan and Chiang Mai.
The Public Health Ministry, however, confirmed that the influenza had not claimed any lives between January 18 and 24, though the risk is still there.
Since the type-A (H1N1) influenza was detected in Thailand, it killed as many as 198 people to date.
Therefore, the Public Health Ministry is now calling on people to get vaccinated against the deadly virus and has made the vaccination available for free at hospitals nationwide.
"We will launch campaigns to encourage more people to get the vaccine," Public Health Ministry's deputy permanent secretary Dr Siriwat Thiptaradol said yesterday.
According to him, just 53,000 people have gone for their vaccinations since it was made available on Monday. Of those who have been vaccinated, only 20 or so people have developed minor side effects.
Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, who heads Bureau of General Communicable Diseases, said Chiang Rai saw the highest number of people coming for the vaccine.
"Up to 2,000 doses have been dispensed there," he said.
In a related development, Thailand is now seeking a new vaccine that can be injected because there have been reports of people developing a resistance to the ones administered orally and nasally.
Japan is the first country to have started using the Paramivir - the medicine for injection - on patients who are too weak to be given the oral or nasal versions.
Paramivir can be used instead of the highly effective Zanamivir or the widely available Oseltamivir, said Thawee Chotiphitthayasunont, an expert with the Medical Services Department.
"Injected medicine is vital for patients in a serious condition, whose digestion system cannot absorb the orally administered version. Plus, the medicine in mist form does not work well with patients whose lungs are already infected. A vaccine that is injected directly into the veins is more effective," he added.
The World Health Organisation is supporting the research of a new medicine to fight Swine flu, while Zanamivir and Oseltamivir are being developed so they can be administered intravenously.
About 100 patients are reported to have developed resistance to the type-A (H1N1) vaccines around the world, with four cases in Thailand.
Thawee added that Thai authorities needed to conduct research on what needs to be done in case there is another outbreak and patients prove resistant to available drugs.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/01/28/national/national_30121302.php