Advice for the general public

1. Wash hands often with water and soap or rub them with alcohol gel.
   
   
2. Avoid sharing glasses, straws, spoons, napkins, handkerchiefs, and towels with other people.
   
   
3. Avoid close contact with patients with influenza-like symptoms.
   
   
4. Maintain good health by eating nutritious food, drinking a lot of water, taking adequate sleep, and practicing physical exercise regularly.
   
   
5. Avoid being in crowded and poorly ventilated places for an extended period of time.
   
   
6. Closely follow the Ministry of Public Health’s advice.

Advice for patients with influenza

1. If the patient has mild symptoms of illness such as low grade fever, non-lethargy, and being able to eat food, he/she is advised to take care of himself/herself at home. The patient should take paracetamol (aspirin is forbidden) for fever, have adequate rest and drink a lot of water.
   
   
2. The patient should suspend studying or working until he/she has fully recovered; and avoid close contact or sharing personal utensils with other people.
   
   
3. While being with other people, the patient is advised to wear a face mask or use tissue paper to cover his/her mouth and nose every time he/she coughs or sneezes.
   
   
4. Wash hands often with water and soap or rub them with alcohol gel, particularly after coughing or sneezing
   
   
5. If the patient has difficulty breathing, exhaustion, vomiting or lethargy, he/she is advised to see a doctor.

Advice for educational institutions

1. A student with influenza-like symptoms is recommended to stay home or dormitory. In case his/her symptoms become more severe, he/she should see a doctor immediately.
   
   
2. Educational institutions are requested to check the number of student absenteeism each day. If there is an unusually high number of absent students (three students or more in one classroom) and if those students are suspected of falling ill with influenza, local health authorities should be notified for investigation and disease control.
   
   
3. A student who has just returned from foreign countries is recommended to stay home for seven days. If he/she falls ill, he/she is advised to see a doctor.
   
   
4. If students with influenza-like symptoms are kept at home, closing of school or educational institution is not needed. However, if closing of an educational institution is to be considered, such an action should be jointly discussed by the institution and local health officials.
   
   
5. Objects frequently touched by many people such as desks, doorknobs, handrails, etc. should be cleaned with detergent and water at least 1–2 times a day. Telephones and computers can be cleaned using 70% alcohol damp clean cloth. Water and soap should be sufficiently provided for students and teachers at school. It is also advisable to open doors and windows for good ventilation and exposure to sunlight.

Advice for business establishments and workplaces

1. A company staff or worker with influenza-like symptoms should be allowed to stay home. In case their symptoms become more severe, they should see a doctor immediately.
   
   
2. Absenteeism of staff or workers should be checked daily. If absenteeism is noticeably unusual (three or more persons in one department) and if the absent workers are suspected of having influenza, the incident should be notified to local health authorities for investigation and disease control.
   
   
3. A company staff or worker who has just returned from a foreign country is advised to observe his/her symptoms for seven days. If he/she falls ill, he/she should be allowed to stay at home.
   
   
4. Closing of business establishments and workplaces for influenza prevention is not recommended.
   
   
5. Objects frequently touched by many people such as desks, doorknobs, handrails, etc. should be cleaned with detergent and water at least 1–2 times a day. Telephones and computers can be cleaned using 70% alcohol damp clean cloth. Water and soap should be sufficiently provided for students and teachers at school. It is also advisable to open doors and windows for good ventilation and exposure to sunlight.
   
   
6. Business establishments and workplaces are advised to formulate a plan for business continuity in time of pandemic (see details on the website of the Bureau of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control: http://beid.ddc.moph.go.th).

Information sources: Local public health agencies

1. Disease Control Division, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Health, Bangkok: Tel: 0 2245 8106, 0 2246 0358, 0 2354 1836
   
   
2. Provincial Public Health Office in each of the provinces outside Bangkok.

For more information, please visit the Ministry of Public Health’s website: www.moph.go.th.; and for questions, call the Department of Disease Control’s Operations Centre at 0 2590 3333 or MOPH’s Hotline Centre at 0 2590 1994 around the clock.