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Update 8 October :
The number of confirmed deaths due to H1N1 now is 165 (0 in the last week, 5 in the week before last). The figures over the last few weeks suggests that the number of casualties is declining rapidly, and the ministry plans to stop its weekly updates. From a 'possibly' reliable source we found the number of confirmed infections as of this week to be 19365 . The number of confirmed infections has leveled off a lot lately, suggesting there are either much less cases, or that less persons are being tested.
The fact that numbers of casualties have declined substantially, indicates that the whole process of reacting to H1N1 flu infections, has gone through a learning curve (and with success). Eyeballing casualties in 'developed' countries, it looks that overall there were less deaths there, as compared to the numbers in less developed countries.
We will update further in the future if anything dramatically changes.
One could say Thai people, certainly Bangkokians, are preoccupied by the current H1N1 Flu Pandemic. The first cases of confirmed H1N1 flu were reported on 12 May 2009. by the Ministry of Health. Later on the first deaths from the disease were confirmed and reported to the media on a daily basis. Since mid July 2009, the authorities decided to provide a weekly update of confirmed cases and deaths related to the disease.
The death toll had rised to 66 as of 28 July, and laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1 infection amounted to 6,776 on that day. We have not come across any report indicating how many people have been tested for the disease and can only assume that people tested include patients with flu symptoms, relatives and close friends of infected persons. It is not clear whether random testing is being done throughout the population, but likely not (it would have been reported in the media). Since the disease apparently can present itself with minor flu like symptoms, we can reasonably assume that many more unconfirmed cases of H1N1 infection have occurred over the last month or two. All considered, it suggests that the risk of death with this disease at present is rather low, taking into account that most of the people who died in Thailand from H1N1 had some concomitant other illnesses.
The Ministry of Public Health has issued regularly updated guidelines for the public. (opens in new window). These include advice for educational institutions and business workplaces. Schools have been temporarily closed over the last two months, tutorial institutions (a major industry in Bangkok) were temporarily all closed down. At the time we write this, a total of 183 schools were closed around the country, as a response to a number of infected students. As a result of public awareness and important preoccupation with the risk of infection, it is now common to see Thai people walking around with different types of face masks. This is especially striking on the public transport systems like the BTS skytrain and the MRT subway.
A senior Public Health Ministry official has blamed more than 30 percent of present fatalities on delayed treatment. Later victims have stayed at home to long without seeking help, or have elected to go to nearby health clinics instead of hospitals. Due to a major flaw in the Thai health care system, primary medicine (family physicians) has not been properly developed as in most other countries. Antiviral drugs (Tamiflu or oseltamivir) initially seemed to be only available at hospitals. Belatedly, health clinics will now also be allowed to distribute the drugs to their patients. There is no need to state really, that initial evaluation of people with flu-like symptoms should be handled by primary care providers, instead of hospitals. However, this option is apparently not available in Thailand. Interestingly, when asking at pharmacies nearby, we found that most of them do not seem to carry the drug either. This while in some countries (like the U.K.) there seems to be a plan to have the above mentioned antiviral drugs available over the counter.
The number of deaths due to H1N1 influenza, the reaction of the public to the outbreak of the disease, and suggested remedies have to be put into perspective.
There are more people dying each day on the roads of Thailand due to traffic accidents, than people dying due to H1N1 flu in a week (or more). Nevertheless, nobody has ever suggested banning cars or motorcycles on the road. Certainly, important measures need to be taken to counter the spread of the new influenza virus, but society as a whole should be able continue to operate without to many encumbrances, this of course unless the present strain modifies and becomes more virulent.
We think this site gives a good summary of deaths, and infection statistics, from H1N1 flu, around the world.
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