The Public Health Ministry is advising everyone to take care of their health and that of their children in light of the resurgence of respiratory diseases, such as COVID-19, influenza and RSV, which have a tendency to spread rapidly during the rainy season.
According to the Disease Control Department, 333,982 cases of flu were recorded between the start of this year May 19, with children aged 5 to 9 being the most infected, followed by birth to 4 and 10 to 14 year olds.
Among all cases, 45,975 were admitted to hospitals and 44 died. Most of the fatalities were among elderly people with comorbidities, such as kidney disease, high blood pressure or coronary artery disease (CAD).
An increase in cluster infections among people who are, or who had been in crowded venues were also reported during the period, such as in schools and prisons, said Dr Sakda Alapach, deputy permanent secretary of public health, as he advised school administrations to suspend classes if students are found to have the flu and to separate those infected from the other students.
For high-risk groups, such as young children, elderly people and those with underlying diseases, he suggested that they wear face masks, avoid crowded places and infected people and should get vaccinated.
People at high-risk have access to free vaccinations at state hospitals and health offices.
