---

influenzaen er over os

Health authorities are on influenza alert as the number of patients with flu-like symptoms is on the rise nationwide.

Out-patients seeking medical diagnoses at hospitals due to flu-like illnesses have jumped from an average of 5% to an unusually high rate of more than 10% in 25 provinces.

Central provinces have so far been hit hard by outbreaks of flu, the Bureau of Epidemiology said yesterday.

"The influenza outbreak situation is still worrying. About 20% of patients visiting doctors with flu-like symptoms have been found to have contracted the H1N1 virus strain," said Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit.

Epidemiologists were closely monitoring the situation and health authorities were considering using rapid channels for influenza and dengue testing to avoid the problem of delayed diagnosis and treatment, he said.

A total of 51,594 people have been reported to have caught flu since January. Lab tests confirmed 9,618 had the H1N1 strain. In Thailand, 80 flu fatalities were reported this year. Among those who died, 71 had H1N1.

Pasakorn Akarasevi, Bureau of Epidemiology director, said hospitals in provinces surrounding Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima in the North and Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong in the East were overcrowded with patients with flu-like symptoms during this period.

Clusters of influenza outbreaks were still being found at schools, hotels, factories, remand homes, colleges and police camps. But the scale of the spread was not as severe as when the H1N1 virus strain hit the country last year, he said.

Dr Pasakorn said an estimated 35% of Thailand's 65 million population have already been exposed to the H1N1 strain. Flu outbreaks were expected to continue in several parts of the country for another three to four weeks. Theoretically, the spread will fall when about 40% of the population has been exposed to the virus.

mere her http://www.bangko...ases-surge