ID :
76036
Wed, 08/19/2009 - 13:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/76036
The shortlink copeid
THREE MORE H1N1 DEATHS, TOTAL RISES TO 67 PEOPLE
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- There have been three more deaths due to the Influenza A (H1N1) virus taking the toll to 67 deaths, said Health Director-General Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.
He said all the three deaths involved those in the high-risk group including
a 33-years-old woman who died due to severe bronchopneumonia and who was tested
positive for influenza A (H1N1) on Aug 12 after being admitted to the intensive
care unit on Aug 7.
The second victim a girl aged 10 years admitted on July 17 was confirmed
dead due to "Systematic Lupus Erythematous with severe pneumonia with renal
impairement" on Aug 13, Dr Mohd Ismail said in a statement.
He said the third victim was an elderly person aged 71 who was admitted to
hospital after having fever, cough and breathing difficulties for two days and
who died on Aug 14 due to "Ischaemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy precipitated by
pnuemonia."
"The Health Ministry finds there are many patients who have the influenza
A(H1N1) infection who are not cooperating in controlling the epidemic," he said,
adding that they needed to cooperate.
On the situation in the country, Dr Mohd Ismail said till this morning the
number of H1N1 patients treated in wards was 276 while 36 confirmed for H1N1
were being treated in the ICU throughout the country.
Of the 36 cases in the ICU, 21 had risk factors, he said.
He also reminded people that antiviral treatment was only given to three
high risk groups and those having influenza without undergoing confirmation
tests for Influenza A(H1N1).
People were asked to follow latest developmets and take preventive steps by
referring to the special H1N1 website http://h1n1.moh.gov.my or calling the
hotlines 03-88810200 and 03-88810300.
Meanwhile, 85 National Service (NS) camps in the country will not be closed
as the spread of the influenza A(H1N1) virus is still under control, said NS
Training Council chairman Dr Tiki Lafe.
"Closing of camps is the last resort as we can still quarantine those
positive in camps," he said.
Tiki said closing camps and sending trainees home who were positive can
cause the spread of the virus as they would be exposed to open society.
"For those free of the virus, if we send them home they may be exposed to
the virus outside," he told reporters after chairing the council meeting here
today.
He said the NS council would however close camps if directed to do so by the
Health Ministry.
He said 42 camps had been closed temporaily for a week earlier and of those
35 had been reopened.
He said 25 trainees and a trainer were confirmed positive for the virus and
that their situation was stable and controlled.
"For now the camps are open, none closed again. Additionally we have and
will have additional buildings for quarantine purpose," he said.
Tiki called on parents not to panic as the department had taken proper steps
to handle the epidemic.
"For the NS group in Jan 2 next year, we want parents and trainees to be
aware of the situation.
"If you have the symptoms, undergo an examination in clinics or hospitals
and let us know. We hope parents will not be afraid to send their children to
the NS," he said.
-- BERNAMA
He said all the three deaths involved those in the high-risk group including
a 33-years-old woman who died due to severe bronchopneumonia and who was tested
positive for influenza A (H1N1) on Aug 12 after being admitted to the intensive
care unit on Aug 7.
The second victim a girl aged 10 years admitted on July 17 was confirmed
dead due to "Systematic Lupus Erythematous with severe pneumonia with renal
impairement" on Aug 13, Dr Mohd Ismail said in a statement.
He said the third victim was an elderly person aged 71 who was admitted to
hospital after having fever, cough and breathing difficulties for two days and
who died on Aug 14 due to "Ischaemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy precipitated by
pnuemonia."
"The Health Ministry finds there are many patients who have the influenza
A(H1N1) infection who are not cooperating in controlling the epidemic," he said,
adding that they needed to cooperate.
On the situation in the country, Dr Mohd Ismail said till this morning the
number of H1N1 patients treated in wards was 276 while 36 confirmed for H1N1
were being treated in the ICU throughout the country.
Of the 36 cases in the ICU, 21 had risk factors, he said.
He also reminded people that antiviral treatment was only given to three
high risk groups and those having influenza without undergoing confirmation
tests for Influenza A(H1N1).
People were asked to follow latest developmets and take preventive steps by
referring to the special H1N1 website http://h1n1.moh.gov.my or calling the
hotlines 03-88810200 and 03-88810300.
Meanwhile, 85 National Service (NS) camps in the country will not be closed
as the spread of the influenza A(H1N1) virus is still under control, said NS
Training Council chairman Dr Tiki Lafe.
"Closing of camps is the last resort as we can still quarantine those
positive in camps," he said.
Tiki said closing camps and sending trainees home who were positive can
cause the spread of the virus as they would be exposed to open society.
"For those free of the virus, if we send them home they may be exposed to
the virus outside," he told reporters after chairing the council meeting here
today.
He said the NS council would however close camps if directed to do so by the
Health Ministry.
He said 42 camps had been closed temporaily for a week earlier and of those
35 had been reopened.
He said 25 trainees and a trainer were confirmed positive for the virus and
that their situation was stable and controlled.
"For now the camps are open, none closed again. Additionally we have and
will have additional buildings for quarantine purpose," he said.
Tiki called on parents not to panic as the department had taken proper steps
to handle the epidemic.
"For the NS group in Jan 2 next year, we want parents and trainees to be
aware of the situation.
"If you have the symptoms, undergo an examination in clinics or hospitals
and let us know. We hope parents will not be afraid to send their children to
the NS," he said.
-- BERNAMA
