The Public Health Ministry said Monday that it estimates more than 15 million people, including children under the age of five, to get infected during the second wave of the type A (H1N1) flu pandemic because most people have not taken any immunising measures against the virus.

However, the second wave is expected to be less severe because medical works already know how to handle the virus.

"We already know the virus' strengths and weaknesses and have learned how to deal with it," Public Health Ministry's permanent secretary Dr Paijit Warachit said.

According to the ministry's surveillance, conducted from April 28 to October 24, the new virus has already killed 182 people age between the ages of 31 and 40, of whom 90 were men and 92 women.

The Nation