Thai PM warns against swine flu panic

BANGKOK (AFP) — Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday urged the country not to panic about swine flu, after the number of cases grew ninefold in four days and a cluster emerged in a key tourist hub.

Health authorities reported that confirmed cases of the A(H1N1) virus soared to 150 on Sunday, compared with just 16 on Wednesday, including a number of foreigners.

Officials last week said 21 of the new infections were found among nightclub workers in the coastal city of Pattaya, who were tested after two Taiwanese tourists said on returning home they had contracted the disease there.

A Hong Kong visitor may also have contracted the virus on the southern resort island of Phuket.

"People should not panic. The death ratio for the new flu is probably lower than normal Continue reading the remaining 50% ...