MALAYSIA IS STILL FREE OF INFLUENZA A(H1N1)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- All four cases reported to the Health
Ministry's Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) regarding patients
admitted to the Sungai Buloh Hospital in Selangor, were tested negative of
influenza A(H1N1) virus, Health Director-General Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said.

In a statement, he said, another patient admitted to the Raja Perempuan
Zainab
II Hospital in Kota Baharu on Wednesday, was also tested negative of the virus.

"So far there are no influenza A(H1N1) cases detected in Malaysia," he said.


Dr Mohd Ismail said that Thursday, 3,870 passengers arriving in 37 flights
at the KL International Airport and Penang International Airport, 3,104
passengers arriving via land and 174 sea craft passengers were screened but none
were referred to hospitals.

He said the ministry had also installed one thermal scan machine each at the
Kuching and Senai airports.

Altogether nine machines had been installed in six entry points into the
country, he added.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed Poland to be the
24th country affected by the pandemic.

The number of infection reported globally was 2,371, an increase of 478
cases from the previous day. There have been 44 deaths so far.

Mexico reported 1,112 cases with 42 deaths while the United States reported
896 cases with two deaths.

The countries reporting an increase in the number of cases are Canada, with
201 cases so far, Germany (10), Israel (6), the Netherlands (2), Poland (1),
South Korea (3), Spain (81) and United Kingdom (32). No death reported in these
countries.

WHO is maintaining its influenza pandemic warning at Level 5 but did not
recommend any health, travel and trade prohibition or the closure of borders for
any country.

-- BERNAMA