Thai issues with H5N1

46 patients monitored for bird flu

Compiled from agencies
A total of 46 Thai patients suspected of contracting the deadly avian influenza are under close medical supervision, while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has approved a budget to build 100 more patient rooms at hospitals nationwide, said Public Health Minister Pinij Jarusombat on Sunday.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said that no victim of the deadly disease has been found in Bangkok.

Rumours of Bangkok victims had caused concern last week. The capital has suffered a spate of influenza, including many serious cases, but none has proved to be H5N1 bird flu, authorities said.

Mr Pinij said the prime minister had given the green light for a budget to build 100 more rooms for patients suspected of contracting the disease.

Most of the rooms will be built at hospitals in provinces where the situation is severe such as Phichit, Uthai Thani, Kampaengphet and Nakhon Sawan and they will be completed within three months.

Mr Pinij said he expected the budget would likely be given by the Bureau of the Budget on Tuesday or Wednesday (August 15-16).

More than 50 health and government officials from Asia and the Pacific will meet in Singapore this week to discuss ways to strengthen the region's response to avian influenza pandemic.

The two-day workshop, starting Monday (August 14), is a follow-up to a bird flu exercise coordinated by Australia in June involving the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) member economies

Mr Pinij visited two patients having bird flu-like symptoms at a government-run hospital Sunday afternoon.

The first patient is a 24-year-old man from Bangkok's neighbouring province of Samut Prakan, while the second is a 66-year-old woman from the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

Both are in critical condition, said Mr Pinij, adding that results would be known Monday (August 14) whether they have come down with bird flu or human influenza.

Mr Pinij said a total of 46 patients in 16 provinces nationwide are now being under the close supervision of doctors.

The northern province of Phichit has most patients with nine, followed by eight in nearby Nakhon Sawan Province and five in Bangkok's neighbouring Nonthaburi Province, he said.