Bangkok closes over 450 schools due to A/H1N1 flu

Authorities in the Thai capital of Bangkok have closed over 450 schools for disinfection purposes. The move comes as the health ministry reported three more A/H1N1 flu-related deaths, bringing Thailand's total to 24.

A Thai student wears a face masks to protect herself in Bangkok on  Tuesday July 14, 2009. Authorities in the Thai capital closed hundreds of schools for disinfecting, as the health ministry reported three more swine flu-related deaths, bringing the country's total to 24.  (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Early on Wednesday, teams of municipal cleaners were cleaning and scrubbing down school yards, classrooms and corridors. The efforts were part of a drive to stop the spread of the A/H1N1 virus in the country. The schools are expected to reopen next week.

Meanwhile, a series of public health advertisements are currently running on TV to bolster the anti-flu campaign. Thailand has had the most deaths, 24 from the A/H1-N1 virus in the Asia Pacific region. More than 4-thousand people have contracted the flu virus.