Thailand reports 10 more deaths from A/H1N1 flu
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Thailand's Public Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 10 more people died last week from the A/H1N1 virus, bringing the country's toll from the swine flu virus to 245.
The Bangkok Post's website reported that the ministry's Bureau of Epidemiology of the Disease Control Department said the total death toll was confirmed for the period between April 28, 2009 and Aug. 7, 2010.
The number of people sick from the H1N1 virus started to rise in early July, along with the spread of seasonal influenza during the rainy season, the department said.
Health officials nationwide have been instructed to closely watch the situation to reduce the infection and death rates.
Some 38 people were confirmed to have been infected with the A/ H1N1 virus during the period of July 25 - Sept. 7, the department said.
The highest number was 18 in Bangkok, followed by seven in the central Nonthaburi province, three in the eastern Rayong province, two in the southern Phangnga province, and one each in the central Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, and Samut Prakan province, and the northern Nakhon Sawan and Lampang province, the northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, and the southern Trang and Songkhla province.
On Aug. 10, World Health Organization head Margaret Chan said the A/H1N1 pandemic was over and the global outbreak turned out to be much less severe than was feared just over a year ago.
She, however, said the swine flu virus will continue to circulate as part of seasonal influenza for years to come, requiring health authorities to remain vigilant.
It still threatens high-risk groups including pregnant women, Chan said.
The WHO's downgrading of the A/H1N1 outbreak to "post-pandemic" was based on recommendations by external influenza experts who conducted a review earlier in the day.
