By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

THAILAND: The Public Health Ministry announced yesterday that |a third Thai had been infected by the type-A (H1N1) influenza that has hit more than 50 countries around the world. She has, however, recovered following treatment.

Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot, permanent secretary at the ministry, said a 50-year-old woman had tested positive after visiting the United States for 10 days with her family.

The woman, whose identity was withheld, developed a high fever and a runny nose on May 24 while still in the US, where she took antipyretics.

She returned to Thailand on May 26 and sought medical treatment the same day in a Bangkok hospital.

Prat said her samples had been sent for testing at Siriraj and Chulalongkorn hospitals, as well as the Medical Science Department.

The results of the lab tests released yesterday showed she had type-A (H1N1) influenza.
She had been travelling in the US and Canada with relatives since May 13. Part of the trip was a seven-day cruise to Alaska. After the cruise she developed mild symptoms such as coughing, a sore throat and a slight fever.

"She showed responsibility to other people by wearing a surgical mask while flying back to Thailand," Prat said.

She was given oseltamivir to treat the flu on May 27, after which she was allowed to go home.

Passengers on her flight are under observation as a precautionary measure.

Eight people accompanied her during the overseas trip. Of the seven who have already returned to Thailand, two have developed respiratory symptoms.

The Public Health Ministry took samples from them for testing, but the primary lab-test results showed negative results.

The eight people - family members and work colleagues - are under surveillance by the ministry. They have been advised to stay at home for seven days, avoid hugging or kissing, wash their hands frequently and wear face masks.

Prat said the 50-year-old woman now had no flu, although she was still suffering from a cough.

Thailand reported its first two cases of H1N1 influenza earlier this month. Both recovered quickly.

All three confirmed H1N1 flu-virus cases in Thailand are people who became infected abroad, the ministry said.

The virus has sickened more than 13,000 people in more than 50 countries and has been linked to more than 100 deaths around the world.

Dr Paijit Warachit, deputy permanent secretary at the Public Health Ministry and responsible |for overseeing H1N1 outbreak-prevention operations, said the |ministry would hold a meeting on June 4 to propose new measures |to the national committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart.

He said the ministry would adjust its strategy for preventing and controlling disease after learning that the new virus exhibits only mild symptoms in humans, much like a seasonal flu.