PM forced to cancel engagements after catching the flu
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin delegated his Wednesday duties to his deputies, as well as cancelled plans for dinner with chiefs of the armed forces after coming down with influenza A, also known as H1N1.
After arriving at the Government House on Wednesday morning, the PM said he was waiting for his doctor’s recommendation as to whether or not he should take sick leave. Srettha added that he was worried that he could spread the virus to those working close to him.
Srettha appointed Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana to take his place in presiding over the 2024 Outstanding State Enterprises Award ceremony, scheduled to be held at Santi Maitri Building at 10.15am.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin was ordered to take Srettha’s place in welcoming youths under the Belia Thai Sejiwa Sehati project and executives of Office of the Judiciary also at Santi Maitri Building at 12.30am.
H1N1 influenza was first reported in Mexico and the United States in 2009 before sweeping the globe with unprecedented speed as a result of airline travel.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its pandemic level to the highest Phase 6 in June of that year, indicating widespread community transmission on at least two continents. However, the pandemic was declared over by the WHO in August 2010.
Most people with flu, including H1N1, need only symptomatic relief. Supportive care such as drinking liquids, taking pain relievers for fever and headache, and resting may be helpful.
