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| The original advisory opinion was requested by the World Health Organization in 1993. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
BANGKOK – Thailand's prime minister urged public calm Sunday as swine flu cases tripled there over the last three days, while New Zealand reported the largest single-day jump in infections.
Just days after the United Nations declared a pandemic, officials were concerned about new cases not linked to overseas travel and about the flu's effect on tourism. The Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Singapore also reported a significant rise in new cases.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva warned the situation is "not an easy fix" with tens of thousands of passengers arriving daily at airports from abroad.
"Definitely it will affect tourism, but I still think it's better to be transparent," he said. "Trying to conceal what's happening will only makes things worse."
Dr. Prat Boonyavongvirot, permanent secretary of Thailand's Public Health Ministry, said cases were expected to rise in coming days as laboratory results continued to arrive.
Worldwide, the World Health Organization as of Friday has reported a total of 26,669 cases in 74 countries, and a death toll of 145. None have died in Asia.
New Zealand confirmed 28 new cases Sunday, the largest jump in a single day since the first case was confirmed in late April, raising the country's total to 71.
Deputy Director of Public Health Dr. Darren Hunt said that for the first time some cases were not linked to travel, a signal that there was community transmission in some areas.
In South Korea, an Australian party of 26 lacrosse players, officials and family members was quarantined after a 19-year-old player tested positive for swine flu on arriving at Seoul's international airport, said Health Ministry official Park Il-hun.
Park said the Australians would be isolated in the hotel for one week.
So far, South Korea has reported 61 cases.
Philippine health officials reported 36 new swine flu cases Sunday, three foreigners among them, bringing total infections in the country to 147.
Still, classes will restart nationwide on Monday after a weeklong suspension, which was prompted by reports of infections among students in some schools, said Dr. Eric Tayag of the Department of Health.
China reported 22 more cases, bringing the total on the mainland to 165.
The Ministry of Health said on its Web site Saturday that the cities of Beijing and Shanghai have reported more cases, as did provinces in central, eastern and southern China.
Hong Kong, which counts swine flu cases separately, said late Saturday it had confirmed 11 more cases, bringing the total to 84.
Singapore confirmed seven more infections Sunday, bringing the total in the city-state to 34. – AP
From GMANews.tv; see the source article here.
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