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Thailand reports three more H1N1 flu deaths

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-14 14:54

BANGKOK: Thailand has three more deaths related to influenza A(H1N1) virus infection, bringing the country's death toll to 24, local media reported Tuesday.

Full Coverage:  Flu Pandemic Outbreak Related readings:  Mass. reports two more H1N1 flu deaths  Chinese mainland A(H1N1) flu cases top 1,300  Obesity a risk factor in H1N1 flu :study  Pharma firms start work on H1N1 vaccine  H1N1 patients to cough up for their own treatment

The victims are two women from Bangkok and one from Samutsakhon, a province next to Bangkok, the Channel 7 quoted public health ministry sources as saying.

The government is stepping up its effort to curb the epidemic outbreak.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, chairman of Thailand's national influenza committee, said on Tuesday that he will propose to the cabinet meeting the closure of all schools nationwide for two to four weeks to help curb the flu outbreak, but it was not necessary to shut down entertainment venues for the time being.

He would also ask the cabinet for a 70 million Baht (US$2.05 million) budget for a publicity campaign to educate people on the best ways of avoiding infection by the A(H1N1) flu virus.

As of Tuesday morning, Thailand has confirmed 176 more infection cases, bringing the country's cumulative total to 4,057, the Channel 7 said.

Thailand had its first two confirmed patients on May 12.