TWO MORE DEATHS FROM INFLUENZA A(H1N1)

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- A seven-month-old boy and a 74-year-old
woman are the latest victims who died from the influenza A(H1N1) infection,
raising the death toll in the country to 64.

The Director-General of Health, Dr Mohd Ismail Merican, said that as of 9am
Monday, a total of 284 H1N1 patients were being treated in the wards while 33
patients who were confirmed positive of the H1N1 were being treated in the
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) throughout the country, and of the 33 cases, 17 were
found to have risk factors.

He said the seven-month-old infant, who was suffering from asthma, was
admitted to the ICU on Aug 7 for fever, cough and breathing difficulty for two
days.

"However, the infant died on Aug 15 due to severe pneumonia with acute
respiratory failure," Dr Mohd Ismail said in a statement, here Monday.

He said the woman, who was suffering from diabetes and cardiac failure, was
admitted to hospital on Aug 10 after losing consciousness at home but died on
Aug 12 due to severe pneumonia.

Dr Mohd Ismail said the Health Ministry found there were still many patients
infected with influenza A(H1N1) who were not giving close cooperation in
controlling the spread of the disease and urged the people to give proper
attention to the matter.

"Those with influenza symptoms must understand that although the symptoms
suffered are light, the H1N1 virus can still be spread to others when they cough
or sneeze," he said.

Thus, those having the influenza symptoms must stay home or avoid going to
public places, the work place or school until the symptoms disappeared, he
added.
-- BERNAMA