Over 15 million to get infected during second wave of A (H1N1) flu pandemic

The Public Health Ministry said Monday that it estimates more than 15 million people, including children under the age of five, to get infected during the second wave of the type A (H1N1) flu pandemic because most people have not taken any immunising measures against the virus.
However, the second wave is expected to be less severe because medical works already know how to handle the virus.

"We already know the virus' strengths and weaknesses and have learned how to deal with it," Public Health Ministry's permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said.
According to the ministry's surveillance, conducted from April 28 to October 24, the new virus has already killed 182 people age between the ages of 31 and 40, of whom 90 were men and 92 women.


-- The Nation 2009/11/02

Over 15 Million to get infected

- 70 Million Thais
- Vaccine in December or January 2010 avalaible
- 2 Million doses of vaccines ordered by Thai authorities only
- Most of those vaccines go to medical workers , followed by women more than three months pregnant, people who weigh more than 100 kilograms; six-month-old kids; people over 64; and people with neurological impairment. And of course influential people in Thailand !

What about the remaining 68 million people in Thailand ? In some western Europe , every person can get vaccination within the next 2 months - free of charge . Where can we get our shot ?

Frank1994 - Expat in Thailand

INFLUENZA 2009
Plans made for Thais possibly get 2nd wave of flu
By Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Published on November 3, 2009

The Public Health Ministry said yesterday that it estimates more than 15 million people, including children under the age of five, to get infected during the second wave of the swine-flu

More than 15 million people, including children under five, were expected to get the second wave of the swine-flu pandemic, because most people had not been immunised against the virus, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday.
But the second wave was not expected to be as severe because medics have learnt how to handle the bug.

"We already know the virus' strengths and weaknesses and have learnt how to deal with it," Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said.
According to the ministry, the first wave of the 2009 flu killed 182 people from 31 to 40 years of age, between April 28 to October 24. Some 90 were men and 92 women.

Though the fatalities have dropped, the disease is expected to continue spreading.
"The factors that will reinforce the second wave are cool weather, new infections from countries in the northern hemisphere and the lack of effective preventive measures, said Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, who oversees the National Outbreak Prevention Operations Centre.

Meanwhile, Chulalongkorn University virologist Dr Yong Pooworawan said so far there had only been three cases where the type-A (H1N1) virus had been found to "resist" the oseltamivir drug, and so far there have been no reports of person-to-person transmission.

In a bid to tackle the second wave, the outbreak-prevention centre announced new moves yesterday to deal with the virus.
For starters, the centre will stop using thermal scanners, which have been deployed at Suvarnabhumi Airport since May to detect infections among arriving passengers. Instead, it will distribute pamphlets with information on the disease.

Over the past six months, the thermal scanners have used to try to detect flu-like symptoms in more than six million arrivals, but only one person has been confirmed as having the type-A (H1N1) virus.
Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry wants hospitals across the nation to prepare for new swine-flu cases. The ministry will also provide a team of specialists to analyse risk factors to try to prevent deaths and serious illness.

In addition, a zoning system run by university hospitals will be set up so patients with severe symptoms can be referred to specialists. Telephone consultation will be also provided to doctors nationwide and health experts will visit the influenza-affected areas.

The ministry also will instruct provincial authorities to set up a 'war room' so they can be prepare to handle the pandemic effectively.
Once two million doses of inactivated vaccine have been delivered, medical workers will be vaccinated.
They will be followed by women more than three months pregnant, people who weigh more than 100 kilograms; six-month-old kids; people over 64; and people with neurological impairment.

The first shipment is due to arrive in December and January. The ministry said it would order another three million doses if the first lot was not enough.
Dr Tawee Chotepitayasunon, head of the Public Health Ministry's academic team, said lives could be saved if people seek treatment in time.


-- The Nation 2009/11/03

14,999,999 to go. My daughter is in the hospital with swine flu. No complications, IV came out today and tomorrow going home so everything is ok. That super duper Bangkok Bank helth insurance is really paying off, literally.

^I wish ur daughter a speedy recovery tim.

Hopefully, other parents will take notice and when the vaccine is available, consider it. A child in hospital on an IV provides an indication of how dangerous this infection is. Fortunately, this child had parents that could care for her and who knew what to do. For many people without the economic means, smarts, or access to a modern health facility, the likely outcome will be a body bag.

"In some western Europe , every person can get vaccination within the next 2 months - free of charge ."

Baloney. Name any country that will have sufficient H1Ni vaccine in the next 2 months, to vaccinate every citizen...and do it for free.

Estimates for 80 million doses for the US have now dwindled down to 16 million. Peak flu season is starting so the vaccine looks like it is going to be too late to protect most people this season. I am not a doom and gloom kind of guy and I don't think this will be anywhere near as bad as many think but I was surprised to hear that over 1000 people have died in the US already.

We are not Europeans, bust most of us have a European background. Since 30.September the swine flue vaccination has been available for all Australians free of charge. I went back a while ago for my once-yearly visit to my country and had my shot. I feel better for having done so, but it will take some time to find out, if having the vaccine will have been a good thing , a waste of time or detrimental to your health.

On average there are 36,000 flu-related deaths annually in the U.S. (And another 45,000 automobile-related deaths annually.)

High-risk groups are able to get the vaccine.

What a load of NONSENSE !!!

Can't you see that this all just panic mongering by Big Pharma, aided by corrupt governments..?

Please look at this video...

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/731.html

And white you're at it, please read the attached document on vaccinations in general.

Wake up people, and forget about all the hysteria !

And ThaiVisa, you should not make yourself an accessory to all this BS by dedicating a whole news section on "swine flu" (unless you're in on it).

What a ridiculous headline!

What does everyone think about the theory that the Swine flu Vaccination in the US has been created by the US government as a population control method ?

If you do any research on the internet you will see that it is inundated with videos and theories that the actual harmful virus is in the vaccination !

There's even videos of hundreds of thousands of stockpiled plastic coffins, just ready for a national swine flu pandemic.

There's talk of the vaccination being compulsory for the American people , and if you avoid it and get caught, you get taken to one of the concentration camps that are already sat there waiting.

Interesting stuff, makes for a very believable theory.

Imagine.... saying, no its ok, I think I'll risk it and stay healthy, I haven't had flu for 10 years, Im always well, its my decision; and then being told : actually , its not your decision - now take it or come with us !

Utter crap. I also think this flu scare has being over stated. The Spanish Flu killed more than the WW1 fighting. Given the figures then, and compare to now.

A vaccine won't guarantee anything.

To a lesser extend, do you ever hear or read about the same angst towards 'common flus' that kill thousands annually? Of course you don't........fabricated fear and scare tactics keep us in check. Social engineering made easy. The current death count worldwide in relation to the Swine Flu has been quite minimal, as I suspect this 'exotic strain' is no more potent than any given common throughout the yearly cycle. I imagine the the authorities don't presently promote the true percentages/statistics of the total number of people that have contacted the new strain in comparasion to those deaths from the Boogieman Influenza. Like most flu viruses, most healthy and reasonably healthy people overcomes their bout with said infection. Today {and historically}, malarial viruses are more prevalent. Why not all the concern?

How many people in those age groups were killed in road accidents in that period?

Is the former Health Minister who had his pockets filled by Big Pharma still under lock and key?

I asked reception staff, ancillary workers and some nurses at Bumrungrad why they were wearing masks and the doctors were not. Didn't that tell them something?