Health chiefs quell fears over recent flu spate

Health chiefs quell fears over recent flu spate
At the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, residents are given the virus shot. ( Bangkok Post file photo )

The Department of Disease Control ( DDC ) reports that since the start of this year, 14 people have died and more than 180, 000 others have been infected with the virus.

Director-General Dr. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn addressed concerns over extreme strains of influenza on Saturday, claiming that it is a breathing viral infection that only causes mild symptoms in the majority of sufferers and can be treated accordingly.

Nevertheless, some circumstances develop uncurable conditions, which heightens the risk of death.

A team from Ratchaburi’s Disease Control Office 5 has collaborated with regional public health agencies to do an in-depth study of virus patients, according to Dr. Thongchai. Next week is the week’s end of the document.

According to the Epidemiology Division information from Jan 1 to June 20, there were 186, 900 virus situations and 14 murders– five of which were reported in Nakhon Ratchasima, two in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and one each in Chaiyaphum, Surat Thani, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Samut Prakan, Phuket and Kalasin.

Surveillance information on flu and other respiratory infections from Sept 1, 2021, to June 16 showed that among 2, 284 virus situations, 1, 044 had the A/H3N2 stress.

From September 1, 2021, to June 16, a variety of isolates were discovered in the community. The A/H3N2 strain accounted for 45 % of cases, the B/H3N2 ( 27 % ), the A/H1N1 ( 26 % ), and the so- called A subtype with an unidentified strain ( 1 % ).

Although flu is widespread, it can still compound uncurable illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, encephalitis and fungal attacks, added Dr Thongchai.