ID :
75526
Sun, 08/16/2009 - 09:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/75526
The shortlink copeid
INDIVIDUALS WITH A(H1N1) SYMPTOMS TOLD TO AVIOD CROWDED PLACES
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has urged members of
the public with Influenza A(H1N1) symptoms to avoid going into crowded places
such as shopping malls to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Health Director-General Dr Mohd Ismail Merican made the plea as the A(H1N1)
death toll rose to 59, including three latest deaths.
Dr Mohd Ismail said members of the public should be aware of their roles in
containing the disease.
"Despite numerous reminders, the ministry still finds individuals with
A(H1N1) symptoms going to public places and some do so without wearing face
masks," he said in a statement.
He also called on people with flu-like symptoms to stay at home until they
recovered.
On the three latest deaths, Dr Mohd Ismail said they involved two men aged
22 and 29 and a 44-year-old woman.
The two deaths occurred on Aug 12 and the other on Aug 13.
Dr Mohd Ismail also said that there were 120 patients still being treated in
hospital wards and another 29 in intensive care units.
He also clarified that antiviral drugs were only for treating patients and
not to prevent them from being infected.
He added that the drugs could be obtained for free in government hospitals
and clinics.
Antiviral treatment, however, would only be given to those with
influenza-like illness, those in the risk factor and people with high fever.
"These three groups can be given antiviral drugs without having to wait for
influenza tests," he said.
In a related development, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said up to five
million or 20 per cent of Malaysians were expose to the risk of A(H1N1)
infections if the people did not take preventive measures.
Citing a World Health Organisation (WHO) statistic, Liow said, the world
health body had also predicted that the pandemic could go on for up to a year.
Liow also said that a study by the WHO also showed that the actual number of
people infected with the virus was 20 times more than the number of reported
cases.
In the case of Malaysia, this could translate into 70,000 people compared to
the reported cases of 3,574, he said.
All information on the pandemic can be obtained via the ministry's hotlines
at 03-88810200 and 03-88810300 and websites at http://www.moh.gov.my and
http://h1n1.moh.gov.my.
-- BERNAMA
the public with Influenza A(H1N1) symptoms to avoid going into crowded places
such as shopping malls to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Health Director-General Dr Mohd Ismail Merican made the plea as the A(H1N1)
death toll rose to 59, including three latest deaths.
Dr Mohd Ismail said members of the public should be aware of their roles in
containing the disease.
"Despite numerous reminders, the ministry still finds individuals with
A(H1N1) symptoms going to public places and some do so without wearing face
masks," he said in a statement.
He also called on people with flu-like symptoms to stay at home until they
recovered.
On the three latest deaths, Dr Mohd Ismail said they involved two men aged
22 and 29 and a 44-year-old woman.
The two deaths occurred on Aug 12 and the other on Aug 13.
Dr Mohd Ismail also said that there were 120 patients still being treated in
hospital wards and another 29 in intensive care units.
He also clarified that antiviral drugs were only for treating patients and
not to prevent them from being infected.
He added that the drugs could be obtained for free in government hospitals
and clinics.
Antiviral treatment, however, would only be given to those with
influenza-like illness, those in the risk factor and people with high fever.
"These three groups can be given antiviral drugs without having to wait for
influenza tests," he said.
In a related development, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said up to five
million or 20 per cent of Malaysians were expose to the risk of A(H1N1)
infections if the people did not take preventive measures.
Citing a World Health Organisation (WHO) statistic, Liow said, the world
health body had also predicted that the pandemic could go on for up to a year.
Liow also said that a study by the WHO also showed that the actual number of
people infected with the virus was 20 times more than the number of reported
cases.
In the case of Malaysia, this could translate into 70,000 people compared to
the reported cases of 3,574, he said.
All information on the pandemic can be obtained via the ministry's hotlines
at 03-88810200 and 03-88810300 and websites at http://www.moh.gov.my and
http://h1n1.moh.gov.my.
-- BERNAMA
