BANGKOK, June 12 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) in Thailand is still limited to some locations and that the country won’t raise its alert status level because its preventive measures have been carried out systematically and effectively.

Interviewed before travelling to Cambodia Friday morning, Mr. Abhisit said that the spread of the Influenza A (H1N1) in Thailand was limited to a few areas and the government has systematic surveillance in place to closely monitor the new infections.

The locations where the H1N1 virus was recently detected were put under surveillance.

The areas are the two major tourist destinations -- the eastern seaside resort town of Pattaya, the southen resort island of Phuket and St Gabriel's College in the capital. The preventive measures were implemented before the new semester started, so the outbreak area can be limited.

The prime minister said Thailand didn’t have to raise the level of the alert because the country has disclosed the spread of the virus and has a good monitoring system.

Meanwhile, the privately-run St Gabriel's College where five students were found to have contracted the H1N1 flu virus has begun cleaning and disinfecting the school with assistance from workers from the Dusit district office and the Department of Health.

The school announced a one-week closure and will resume classes again on June 19.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) ordered 435 schools under its umbrella to thoroughly clean their schools this weekend.

The BMA will also meet with school administrators, operators of theatres and tutorial centres on Monday to discuss the spread of the H1N1 virus among students.

The number of confirmed cases of swine flu in Thailand nearly tripled to 46 on Thursday, with 21 of the new infections were found among employees at a nightclub in the seaside resort of Pattaya. They were tested after two Taiwanese tourists claimed on returning home to have contracted the disease there.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Influenza A (H1N1) the influenza pandemic Thursday, raising the pandemic alert level to level six after it infected tens of thousands of people in 74 countries.

WHO Director- General Margaret Chan said the declaration of a "moderate" pandemic should not spark panic and did not mean the death toll from A(H1N1) would rise sharply.

The latest WHO report showed that the number of H1N1 infections has reached 28,774 in 74 countries, including 144 deaths. (TNA, Agencies)

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=10329

-- TNA 12/06/09

Jurin says not necessary to close all Bangkok schools for now

Education Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said Friday that it is not necessary to order all Bangkok schools to be closed for now following the spread of type A (H1N1) flu virus at a Catholic school.

He said each school management is allowed to consider on its own whether to suspend classes if necessary.

The school managements can suspend classes without seeking permission from the ministry first, he said.

He said the Education Ministry has no policy of concealing the spread of the virus.

He said all schools were ordered to monitor against possible spread and if some students are suspected of catching the virus, teachers will have to take them to see doctors immediately

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/30105...ll-Bangkok-scho

-- The Nation 12/06/09

Number of influenza patients reach 89 Monday

Thai Public Health Ministry on Friday reported 43 new cases of the influenza 2009, bringing the number of the cases in Thailand to 89.

Permanent Secretary for health Dr Prat Bunyawongwirote said that of the number, 37 received treatment from private hospitals in Bangkok, one from Songkhla and Phuket each and three from Pattaya.

World Health Organisation on Friday declared the flu has escalated into the world's first influenza pandemic in 40 years after infecting tens of thousands of people in 74 countries.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/30105...reach-89-Monday

-- The Nation 12/06/09

" Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) in Thailand is still limited to some locations and that the country won’t raise its alert status level because its preventive measures have been carried out systematically and effectively."

Seem to be increasing by the hour

A disappointing naive, but understandable statement from Abhisit