April 27, 2009
Bangkok (ASTV Manager Online) – Public health ministry has joined hands with relating units to gather information and get ready for the swine influenza.
Public health minister Vittaya Kaewparadai confirmed there has been no swine flu spreading here yet.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is examining the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico.
Swine flu is swine-related influenza which spreads from humans to humans. This is different from the bird flu which spreads from poultry to humans.
People are expected to become afraid of pork consumption. It is suggested that pork should be well-cooked.
Primary symptoms for people who develop swine flu are fever and severe pain in bones.
It is believed that more than 10,000 tons per year of pork was illegally imported annually.
Korea which imports pork products from Peru, Argentina and Chile exports the products to Thailand.
The death rate of swine flu is approximately eight percent compared to 60% from bird flu.
Swine flu is caused by the type A viruses found in wild and farm pigs as well as in Thailand. Frequently-found viruses are H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2.
