Death Increases

The number of death from Influenza A (H1N1) jumped to 12 Wednesday after four more people, including three children, were reported to have died.As the number of deaths from influenza A (H1N1) in the country hits 12 and the number of infections continue to climb, the Health Ministry yesterday issued 4 new directives to combat the spread of the virus.


The new directives issued are:-

• those in the high-risk category (pregnant, obese, asthmatic, diabetic, low immunity and those with heart problems) and suffering from breathing difficulties, should seek medical treatment immediately at the nearest clinic or hospital. This is important as patients need to be treated with the anti-viral drug Tamiflu within 48 hours of showing symptoms. The treatment can start without laboratory results and Tamiflu is given free;

• after getting treatment, patients must be quarantine at home and lessen their contact and communication with the public, including family members. Patients must adhere to strict personal hygiene and cough etiquettes to avert the spread of the virus;

• patients who show mild symptoms of the disease must adhere to the advice of the doctor and quarantine themselves to prevent the spread of the virus to others. If they want to go out, they must wear a three-ply face mask; and,

• members of the public who know of cluster groups of people showing influenza-like illness in schools, institutions, workplaces and communities are to inform the nearest Health Department office; this will allow the department to to exercise control measures to stop or slow down the spread.

Malaysians can contact the ministry’s hotline 03-88810200 and 03-88810300 or go to its website http://www.moh.gov.my and http://h1n1.moh.gov.my on how to prevent being infected or what measures to adhere to when infected.

The websites also disclose the updates on the situation in the country.