Health Officials Warn Chiang Mai Residents To Beware Of Influenza Outbreak

Health officials warn Chiang Mai residents to beware of influenza outbreak

CHIANG MAI, 30 June 2012 (NNT) – Health officials are warning Chiang Mai residents to particularly beware of the possible outbreak of influenza.

Director of the Office of Diseases Prevention and Control in the province, Dr. Witaya Liewsaree said that the risk of an influenza outbreak is high in the rainy season, or during the months of June and July.

Dr. Witaya stated that influenza is easily contagious and the infection may cause high and prolonged fever, severe coughing, chest pain, irregular breathing and exhaustion.

For small children, symptoms of influenza include constant crying, lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. Witaya urged anyone with these symptoms to immediately seek medical attention from the nearest public health offices.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disease Control and the National Health Security Office (NHSO) have jointly launched a free anti-influenza vaccination campaign, which offers immunity against influenza-type A H1N1, type-A H3N2 and type-B.

The campaign is intended for 7 at-risk groups, totaling 355,000 people. They include chronic patients, the elderly aged above 65, obese people who weigh more than 100 kilograms, mentally-challenged people, children aged 6 months-2 years, pregnant women, and healthcare personnel as well as state employees in charge of poultry slaughter.

The vaccination is available for anyone who is eligible at participating state and private healthcare offices across the country, from now until September 30th. More information is available at Hotline 1422.

-- NNT 2012-06-30