ID :
60608
Thu, 05/14/2009 - 17:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/60608
The shortlink copeid
NO INFLUENZA A(H1N1) CASES SO FAR
PUTRAJAYA, May 14 (Bernama) -- All suspected Influenza A (H1N1) cases tested
in the country so far have proven to be negative, said Health Minister Liow
Tiong Lai.
He said it included the case in Ipoh city in northern state of Perak
involving a man who had visited Thailand last week and that of a Sarawak woman
who was admitted to the isolation ward of the Sarawak General Hospital Wednesday
following her return from Massachusetts, United States.
"As of today (Thursday), there has been no case of Influenza A(H1N1). We are
a nation that is free of this virus," he told reporters after chairing a meeting
on the export of seafood products to the European Union, here Thursday.
Liow said to date, the ministry had examined 60 people for the virus, and
yesterday alone, a total of 10 cases were tested.
"We wil continue to monitor the situation closely. I updated the Cabinet
yesterday that long-term countermeasures are in place to handle the pandemic.
"We cannot treat the matter lightly and must tighten checks at all entry
points to ensure the virus does not come to our shores," he said.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Director-General of Health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said no
new countries had been affected by the pandemic, leaving the number of countries
hit to remain at 33.
However, he said the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the
number of cases had increased to 6,079 with 63 deaths, the latest two deaths
happening in Mexico.
He said WHO was still maintaining the pandemic alert level at Phase Five and
had not recommended any restrictions in terms of travel or trade or the need to
close borders at any country.
"However, it is important for people experiencing symptoms like fever,
cough, flu or throat irritation to delay trips abroad while those returning to
Malaysia from overseas with similar symptoms should seek medical treatment," he
said in a statement.
Dr Ismail said as of midnight Wednesday night, the Health Ministry's Crisis
Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) received notification of six suspected
cases admitted to the isolation ward of the Sungai Buloh Hospital, two cases at
the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh and a case each at the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital, Kota Kinabalu and Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching in East Malaysia
states of Sabah and Sarawak respectively.
However, all the cases tested negative for Influenza A(H1N1).
He added that till Wednesdayy, 12,246 individuals were screened at entry
points in the country, and of the number, 11,693 were screened at airports, 236
at ports and 317 at land entry points.
-- BERNAMA
in the country so far have proven to be negative, said Health Minister Liow
Tiong Lai.
He said it included the case in Ipoh city in northern state of Perak
involving a man who had visited Thailand last week and that of a Sarawak woman
who was admitted to the isolation ward of the Sarawak General Hospital Wednesday
following her return from Massachusetts, United States.
"As of today (Thursday), there has been no case of Influenza A(H1N1). We are
a nation that is free of this virus," he told reporters after chairing a meeting
on the export of seafood products to the European Union, here Thursday.
Liow said to date, the ministry had examined 60 people for the virus, and
yesterday alone, a total of 10 cases were tested.
"We wil continue to monitor the situation closely. I updated the Cabinet
yesterday that long-term countermeasures are in place to handle the pandemic.
"We cannot treat the matter lightly and must tighten checks at all entry
points to ensure the virus does not come to our shores," he said.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Director-General of Health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said no
new countries had been affected by the pandemic, leaving the number of countries
hit to remain at 33.
However, he said the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that the
number of cases had increased to 6,079 with 63 deaths, the latest two deaths
happening in Mexico.
He said WHO was still maintaining the pandemic alert level at Phase Five and
had not recommended any restrictions in terms of travel or trade or the need to
close borders at any country.
"However, it is important for people experiencing symptoms like fever,
cough, flu or throat irritation to delay trips abroad while those returning to
Malaysia from overseas with similar symptoms should seek medical treatment," he
said in a statement.
Dr Ismail said as of midnight Wednesday night, the Health Ministry's Crisis
Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) received notification of six suspected
cases admitted to the isolation ward of the Sungai Buloh Hospital, two cases at
the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh and a case each at the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital, Kota Kinabalu and Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching in East Malaysia
states of Sabah and Sarawak respectively.
However, all the cases tested negative for Influenza A(H1N1).
He added that till Wednesdayy, 12,246 individuals were screened at entry
points in the country, and of the number, 11,693 were screened at airports, 236
at ports and 317 at land entry points.
-- BERNAMA
