PM backs closing of game shops.

Study schools also may shut as 2 more die of flu

Tutorial schools and online game shops are facing temporary closure to help curb the A (H1N1) virus pandemic, under a Health Ministry proposal given government backing. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva supports the plan, raised at an urgent meeting with influenza experts yesterday to discuss ways to limit the outbreak. Two more Thai deaths from the flu were confirmed yesterday - the victims aged 19 and 21 - amid government concerns that students have emerged as a new group vulnerable to infection. It is not yet necessary to seal the country to control the spread of flu, as recommended by Chulalongkorn Hospital doctors, Mr Abhisit said. There is “no need to close down the country” to try to halt the spread of the virus, he said, and the cabinet will consider more stringent containment measures in public areas when it meets Thursday.

If approved by the cabinet, tutorial schools and game shops are likely to close from Monday for two weeks. The experts argued that tutorial schools and game shops brought together young people in confined spaces. Students could easily contract the influenza and transmit the virus to each other and their families, they said. “Tutorial schools and game shops are part of society and they should also be responsible for students and society,” said permanent secretary for public health Prat Boonyawongwirote. Mr Abhisit said the cabinet would look today at the law to see if it allowed the government to order a temporary closure of tutorial schools and online game shops. It would also consider guidelines for operators. He admitted the actual number of infected people could be higher than the number of cases reported to the ministry because some people who fall ill might not go to health authorities. The government would try to slow the pandemic, but would not impose measures that could disrupt people unnecessarily, such as a travel ban. The Education Ministry said some tutorial schools were unhygienic. Many students travel from outlying provinces such as Lop Buri, Chon Buri and Rayong to study in tutorial schools in Bangkok, which increases the possibility they could be exposed to the flu and pass it on to family members at home, said Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, a medical expert at the Department of Medical Services. However, closing tutorial schools would only buy time. “We have to be aware that the number of infections and fatalities will increase. And it will take years for us to deal with the flu pandemic,” he said. Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai, who was at the meeting, said other places with a high prevalence of A (H1N1) infection are restaurants, pubs, bars and concert halls. Two more fatalities caused by the virus were confirmed yesterday. A 19-year-old man in Phuket who died of pneumonia and a lung infection had the flu. He sought medical treatment last Wednesday for a high fever but was not admitted to hospital. His condition deteriorated and he was admitted to Vachira Phuket Hospital on Thursday and died the next day. The other case was a 21-year-old woman, who was five months’ pregnant and suffered from hyperthyroid. She died of a lung infection on Monday.

SOURCE : Bangkok Post.com
Published: 9/07/2009 at 12:00 AM