Thailand's Public Health Ministry has instructed schools nationwide to be well prepared to prevent the probable A/H1N1 flu outbreak. Thai schools will resume a new semester next week.

Teachers need to survey during the first day of the new semester if any student has flu-like symptoms, said Thai Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi Monday.

Students, who return from overseas trips, particularly those from the A/H1N1 flu-affected countries, will be closely monitored by teachers, said Manit.

On May 15, provincial school executives will hold a meeting to discuss precautionary measures to fight the deadly virus in schools, said Manit.

Manit said the Health Ministry will also distribute some 100,000 facial masks to schools across the country.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2009)