H1N1 virus information disseminated for propaganda and training board

Domestic news (KPL) The Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee organised in Vientiane on 25 August a workshop to disseminate knowledge on H1N1 virus. Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Ponemak Dalaloy, Minister of Public Health, said that the awareness and training were identified as key to prevention of the H1N1 virus spreading in Laos. He added that the ministries must have adequate plans in place to respond to any potential outbreak of the disease, particularly in rural areas. He said the goals were to reduce the spread of the virus, decrease the number of people infected in the provinces, avoid influenza-related deaths, and to maintain the socio-economic development. To date, the infection has been on 242 people in the capital, as well as in the provinces of Vientiane, Borikhamsay, Khammouane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet, said Dr. Ponemek. To prevent the outbreak of the virus in these provinces as well as its spread between provinces, we first have to promote the dissemination of information about the dangers and provide proper health education that local people can understand, added by Dr. Ponemek.