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Thailand's swine flu death toll reaches 142

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-09 15:01

BANGKOK: Thailand's health authorities say the country's death toll from swine flu has reached 142 after 12 new fatalities.

Special coverage: Flu Pandemic Outbreak Related readings:  Thailand reports three more H1N1 flu deaths  Thailand reports 231 new A(H1N1) cases  WHO chief urges swine flu vigilance  First drug resistant swine flu case found

The Public Health Ministry says an estimated 3 million people may have been infected with the virus. A Wednesday statement says that figure includes those who recovered or did not show any symptoms.

The ministry's Deputy Permanent Secretary Paijit Warachit says nine of the 12 new fatalities were women. All were older than 50 and some had prior medical conditions.

Paijit says the situation is stabilizing but "we have to remain vigilant ahead of winter when a spike in cases is expected globally."

The disease's victims have increasingly been found in rural provinces among factory workers and farmers. Initial cases were clustered in Bangkok.