More people infected by flu in Thailand

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.

(...) 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.