22.06.09 Flying health squads spread flu message
Source: Bangkok Post
Health authorities are adopting guerrilla tactics in fighting the
spread of the A (H1N1) flu by sending health workers out into
outbreak-prone areas.
Health authorities, including Public Health Minister Witthaya
Kaewparadai, yesterday visited Bangkok shopping malls, tutorial schools
and teen hang-outs, where they distributed the "green book" - a new
booklet showing people how to avoid the new virus strain that has
infected more than 700 Thais so far.
Face masks and hand-cleansing gel were also distributed to people in
the city, where the number of H1N1 infections is the highest in the
country, with 406 confirmed cases.
About 970,000 health volunteers were also called in yesterday for a
one-day workshop on how to respond to H1N1 influenza outbreaks.
Today, the volunteers will begin knocking on people's doors to brief
them about the outbreak and how to prevent influenza infections.
"[The volunteers will be] telling people about the 2009 influenza,
how to avoid it and that treatment is the key to containing this
virus," Mr Witthaya said.
He said the new flu was curable, with 98% of Thai patients having
made a full recovery. At the moment, only 16 people are hospitalised
with H1N1 infections.
The ministry will today send health squads to 435 Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration-run schools under its campaign to make
schools flu-free.
A total of 84 schools and universities across the country have reported H1N1 infections among students.
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