SOURCE: LESTER KONG (THE STAR ONLINE)
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded its highest number of influenza A(H1N1) cases in a day with 569 infections.
There was also one death, bringing the total number of fatalities to 68.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said this indicated that the number of detected cases was still on the rise.
“That’s why our surveillance teams are working hard to detect areas that are persistent in local transmission so we can take measures to cut down on it,” he told reporters on Thursday after attending a campaign on prevention and treating A(H1N1).
He added there were 1,533 patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) who were admitted to 104 hospitals included four private establishments.
From this, 195 tested positive for the virus while 35 patients are in the intensive care unit.
A total of 188 people have been discharged from hospital.
Liow also said that private hospitals could not refuse treatment to patients with ILI.
He added the ministry would probe fatalities caused by late treatment of the patients at private hospitals.
According to a press statement from Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, the death involved a 33-year old woman who was in the 34th week of her pregnancy.
The patient was treated and admitted into a private hospital in Johor Baru on Aug 8 after developing fever and cough for a day.
She was subsequently, referred and admitted to the intensive care unit of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru for breathing difficulties five days later.
Tamiflu was administered.
“However, she died the following day because of severe pneumonia and respiratory failure,” he said.
She confirmed positive for the virus on Aug 14.
Earlier, Liow said government clinics in urban areas would now be opened on weekends to treat flu patients.
He said this was to reduce congestions and long queues at public hospitals.
The move takes effect immediately and the hours would differ from state to state, he added.
“In terms of hours, it will be the same as weekdays from 8am to 8pm for selangor,” he told reporters on Thursday after the launch of a seminar of stem cell research and therapy at Ampang Hospital.
“It is up to the state directors to decide on the exact number of hours to open in their respective areas depending on the number of patients.”
He added the doctors from public hospitals will be deployed to the clinics whenever necessary to assist the staff there.
Liow added insurance companies should include cause of death due to complications as a result of contracting influenza A (H1N1) in policies for their clients, regardless of whether they were new or old policy holders.
“I am confident that the demand for insurance will go up because of this health sit due to H1N1,” he added.
Showing posts with label H1N1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label H1N1. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
A (H1N1): 2 more die, health curfew if mortality rate reaches 0.4pc
Source: TheStarOnline.Com
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will consider declaring a health curfew only if the mortality rate of those infected with Influenza A (H1N1) goes above 0.4% from the current 0.1%-0.3%.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Government was currently treating the situation as a “health emergency.”
A "health curfew" may involve the closure of all schools and the cancellation of all public and social functions, medical sources said.
Public gathering places might also be temporarily closed.
The flu took two more lives, a seven-month-old boy and a 74-year-old woman, taking the country’s death toll to 64.
Liow said Monday that 384 new cases were reported, bringing the total number of case to 4,225.
The Government calculates the mortality rate based on there being 20 cases of infection unreported for each one that is reported.
Liow also said that government records show that many of the deaths were due to late treatment, and he urged private doctors urged to “raise their level of suspicion” when checking patients.
In ALOR SETAR, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak urged the Federal Government to declare a national health alert.
He said the state government was willing to cancel all government programmes including the state-level National Day parade if the Federal Government declared such an alert.
“We view the spread of the flu seriously because the deaths due to the pandemic has increased day-by-day,” he said after the Wisma Darulaman staff monthly morning assembly on Monday.
In PUTRAJAYA, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the seven-month old baby had asthma and was warded in the intensive care unit on Aug 7 for fever, cough and breathing difficulties over the past two days.
The toddler’s parents had sought treatment from a private clinic a day earlier and anti-viral treatment was given to him on Aug 8. He was confirmed to have been infected with the A(H1N1) on Aug 12.
“The baby died on Aug 15 due to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory failure,” Dr Ismail said Monday.
The 74-year-old victim suffered from diabetes and heart failure; she was warded on Aug 10 after she fainted at her house.
Dr Ismail said the victim had been suffering from fever and cough since Aug 8 and doctors began anti-viral treatment on her on Aug 11 but the patient died the following day.
He said she had succumbed to severe pneumonia and was tested positive for A(H1N1) on Aug 13.
“There are currently 33 patients being treated in the ICU and they are of the high-risk group -- suffering from chronic illness, asthma, obesity, mentally handicapped patients, a pregnant woman and a woman who had just delivered,” he said.
Dr Ismail said it was important for those even with the slightest flu symptoms to stay away from public places, from going to work or school, and they should not even take public transport to avoid infecting others.
“The public must be aware that even if they have a slight flu, the A(H1N1) virus can still be spread to others when they cough or sneeze.
“That is why we strongly advise those affected to remain at home until the symptoms cease,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will consider declaring a health curfew only if the mortality rate of those infected with Influenza A (H1N1) goes above 0.4% from the current 0.1%-0.3%.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Government was currently treating the situation as a “health emergency.”
A "health curfew" may involve the closure of all schools and the cancellation of all public and social functions, medical sources said.
Public gathering places might also be temporarily closed.
The flu took two more lives, a seven-month-old boy and a 74-year-old woman, taking the country’s death toll to 64.
Liow said Monday that 384 new cases were reported, bringing the total number of case to 4,225.
The Government calculates the mortality rate based on there being 20 cases of infection unreported for each one that is reported.
Liow also said that government records show that many of the deaths were due to late treatment, and he urged private doctors urged to “raise their level of suspicion” when checking patients.
In ALOR SETAR, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak urged the Federal Government to declare a national health alert.
He said the state government was willing to cancel all government programmes including the state-level National Day parade if the Federal Government declared such an alert.
“We view the spread of the flu seriously because the deaths due to the pandemic has increased day-by-day,” he said after the Wisma Darulaman staff monthly morning assembly on Monday.
In PUTRAJAYA, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the seven-month old baby had asthma and was warded in the intensive care unit on Aug 7 for fever, cough and breathing difficulties over the past two days.
The toddler’s parents had sought treatment from a private clinic a day earlier and anti-viral treatment was given to him on Aug 8. He was confirmed to have been infected with the A(H1N1) on Aug 12.
“The baby died on Aug 15 due to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory failure,” Dr Ismail said Monday.
The 74-year-old victim suffered from diabetes and heart failure; she was warded on Aug 10 after she fainted at her house.
Dr Ismail said the victim had been suffering from fever and cough since Aug 8 and doctors began anti-viral treatment on her on Aug 11 but the patient died the following day.
He said she had succumbed to severe pneumonia and was tested positive for A(H1N1) on Aug 13.
“There are currently 33 patients being treated in the ICU and they are of the high-risk group -- suffering from chronic illness, asthma, obesity, mentally handicapped patients, a pregnant woman and a woman who had just delivered,” he said.
Dr Ismail said it was important for those even with the slightest flu symptoms to stay away from public places, from going to work or school, and they should not even take public transport to avoid infecting others.
“The public must be aware that even if they have a slight flu, the A(H1N1) virus can still be spread to others when they cough or sneeze.
“That is why we strongly advise those affected to remain at home until the symptoms cease,” he said.
Malaysia confirms 6 new swine flu-related deaths
Source: GMANEWS.TV
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia's health ministry says six more people infected with swine flu have died bringing the death toll related to the virus to 62.The Health Ministry says in a Sunday statement two boys and a man have died of pneumonia. All three have tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Another three people died Saturday.Malaysia has reported more than 3,850 swine flu cases since May. - AP
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia's health ministry says six more people infected with swine flu have died bringing the death toll related to the virus to 62.The Health Ministry says in a Sunday statement two boys and a man have died of pneumonia. All three have tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Another three people died Saturday.Malaysia has reported more than 3,850 swine flu cases since May. - AP
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia reported six more deaths related to Influenza A (H1N1), bringing the total number of fatalities to 32.
Source: The Star Online
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia reported six more deaths related to Influenza A (H1N1), bringing the total number of fatalities to 32.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said there was one death on Sunday while two people succumbed to the disease last Wednesday. Three patients died on Saturday.
It was only now confirmed that the five had died of A (H1N1) following post-mortem, he said, adding that the deaths were officially reported to health authorities on Sunday.
“Four of the victims had underlying risk factors,” he said. “In the last 24 hours, 203 new cases were reported, of which 15 were treated in Intensive Care Unit and 67 patients are in the isolation wards,” he said yesterday.
To date, the total number of reported cases in the country stood at 1,982. Globally, 208,155 people have been found to be infected by the virus and 1,688 people from 174 countries have died.
Dr Ismail advised those who showed symptoms and in the high-risk groups to seek medical attention, adding that anti-viral treatment was effective on patients who began treatment within 48 hours of showing the flu symptoms.
High-risk groups include children who are below five years, senior citizens 65 years and above, children and youth under 19 who have been taking asprin for long-term, pregnant women, those who suffer from asthma, chronic lung disease, organ failure, cardiovascular, liver and blood system diseases, diabetic, obese people and those with low immunity.
“Those who show light symptoms should be given symptomatic treatment, stay at home and limit their interaction with others.”
In Perak, state Health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said another institution - the Mara Junior Science College in Lenggong - had been ordered to close.
A total of 41 schools and institutions in Pahang have been closed but 11 had reopened, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said.
“The staff of the state health department are doing their level best to curb the spread of the virus.”
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia reported six more deaths related to Influenza A (H1N1), bringing the total number of fatalities to 32.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said there was one death on Sunday while two people succumbed to the disease last Wednesday. Three patients died on Saturday.
It was only now confirmed that the five had died of A (H1N1) following post-mortem, he said, adding that the deaths were officially reported to health authorities on Sunday.
“Four of the victims had underlying risk factors,” he said. “In the last 24 hours, 203 new cases were reported, of which 15 were treated in Intensive Care Unit and 67 patients are in the isolation wards,” he said yesterday.
To date, the total number of reported cases in the country stood at 1,982. Globally, 208,155 people have been found to be infected by the virus and 1,688 people from 174 countries have died.
Dr Ismail advised those who showed symptoms and in the high-risk groups to seek medical attention, adding that anti-viral treatment was effective on patients who began treatment within 48 hours of showing the flu symptoms.
High-risk groups include children who are below five years, senior citizens 65 years and above, children and youth under 19 who have been taking asprin for long-term, pregnant women, those who suffer from asthma, chronic lung disease, organ failure, cardiovascular, liver and blood system diseases, diabetic, obese people and those with low immunity.
“Those who show light symptoms should be given symptomatic treatment, stay at home and limit their interaction with others.”
In Perak, state Health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said another institution - the Mara Junior Science College in Lenggong - had been ordered to close.
A total of 41 schools and institutions in Pahang have been closed but 11 had reopened, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said.
“The staff of the state health department are doing their level best to curb the spread of the virus.”
Monday, August 10, 2009
A (H1N1): 6 more deaths, taking total to 32 (Update)
SOURCE: MAZWIN NIK ANIS (THE STAR ONLINE)
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia reported six more deaths related to Influenza A (H1N1), taking the total number of fatalities to 32.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said that only one death occurred on Sunday. Two of the victims had succumbed to the disease on Aug 5 and three patients died on Aug 8.
He said it was only confirmed that the five victims had died due to A (H1N1) following post-mortems. The deaths were officially reported to health authorities on Sunday.
“Four of the victims had underlying risk factors. In the last 24 hours, 203 new cases were reported, of which 15 were being treated in intensive care units and 67 patients are in isolation wards,” he said Monday.
The total number of reported cases in the country stood at 1,982 to date. Globally, 208,155 people have been infected by the virus and 1,688 people from 174 countries have died.
Dr Ismail advised those who show symptoms and are in a high-risk group to immediately seek medical attention, adding that the anti-viral treatment had proven effective on patients who began treatment within 48 hours of showing symptoms.
High-risk groups include children who are below five years; senior citizens 65 years and above; children and youths under 19 who have been taking aspirin on a long-term basis; pregnant women; those who suffer from asthma, chronic lung disease, organ failure, cardiovascular, liver and blood system diseases; diabetics; obese people; and those with a low immunity.
“Those who show light symptoms should be given symptomatic treatment, stay at home and limit their interaction with others.
“One should should also look for warning signs such as difficulty in breathing, fever, continuous chest pains, cough and diarrhea,” he said.
Dr Ismail also advised the public to lead a healthy lifestyle by consuming sufficient amounts of water, eating healthy and not smoking.
In MALACCA, the Education Ministry said it will propose a uniform and consistent set of guidelines for school closures, reports MARTIN CARVALHO.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the proposal would be tabled before the National Security Council as soon as possible.
He said these guidelines would help avoid inconsistent decisions by state health authorities.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia reported six more deaths related to Influenza A (H1N1), taking the total number of fatalities to 32.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said that only one death occurred on Sunday. Two of the victims had succumbed to the disease on Aug 5 and three patients died on Aug 8.
He said it was only confirmed that the five victims had died due to A (H1N1) following post-mortems. The deaths were officially reported to health authorities on Sunday.
“Four of the victims had underlying risk factors. In the last 24 hours, 203 new cases were reported, of which 15 were being treated in intensive care units and 67 patients are in isolation wards,” he said Monday.
The total number of reported cases in the country stood at 1,982 to date. Globally, 208,155 people have been infected by the virus and 1,688 people from 174 countries have died.
Dr Ismail advised those who show symptoms and are in a high-risk group to immediately seek medical attention, adding that the anti-viral treatment had proven effective on patients who began treatment within 48 hours of showing symptoms.
High-risk groups include children who are below five years; senior citizens 65 years and above; children and youths under 19 who have been taking aspirin on a long-term basis; pregnant women; those who suffer from asthma, chronic lung disease, organ failure, cardiovascular, liver and blood system diseases; diabetics; obese people; and those with a low immunity.
“Those who show light symptoms should be given symptomatic treatment, stay at home and limit their interaction with others.
“One should should also look for warning signs such as difficulty in breathing, fever, continuous chest pains, cough and diarrhea,” he said.
Dr Ismail also advised the public to lead a healthy lifestyle by consuming sufficient amounts of water, eating healthy and not smoking.
In MALACCA, the Education Ministry said it will propose a uniform and consistent set of guidelines for school closures, reports MARTIN CARVALHO.
Its Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the proposal would be tabled before the National Security Council as soon as possible.
He said these guidelines would help avoid inconsistent decisions by state health authorities.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Baby among three new A(H1N1) deaths
Source: The Star Online
KUALA LUMPUR: Three more people including a baby and a child died of Influenza A (H1N1), bringing the death toll to 18.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the 16-month-old baby girl had fever, cough and runny nose for a week before she was admitted to hospital last Sunday.
He said the baby died of severe pneumonia with underlying A (H1N1) infection at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru on Friday.
A five-year-old boy with upper respiratory tract infection, died of encephalitis secondary to A (H1N1) at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan on Friday, said Liow.
He said the other flu-hit victim was a 63-year-old asthmatic patient who died of severe pneumonia and underlying pulmonary tuberculosis.
“He had fever, runny nose and cough for five days before being admitted to Selayang Hospital last Sunday.’’
Liow said the country also recorded 53 new cases, bringing the total to 1,578.
“There are still 64 people warded at the hospital including two babies, two obese persons and a post-delivery mother in the high-risk group.’’
Liow has urged the public to practise good hygiene, avoid crowded places and shun big events.
However, he said the Merdeka celebrations at Bukit Jalil National Stadium this month would be held as planned for now.
“We will screen everyone including participants of the parade and the public before they enter the stadium,’’ he said.
He also called for private medical practitioners to give out masks to flu and cough patients as part of their treatment.
“The vaccine will only arrive by the end of the year. For now, we must prevent the flu from spreading,’’ he told a press conference after opening the Japan Clinic at HSC Medical Centre here Saturday.
Liow also urged local doctors to be more competitive following healthcare liberalisation.
The liberalisation, which is taking place in stages, enables foreign companies to open hospitals and foreign doctors to work in the country.
Liow said the ministry has so far opened up five sectors.
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