A (H1N1): Second confirmed case in Malaysia (Update)

By DHARMENDER SINGH

PUTRAJAYA: A second Malaysian has been confirmed with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus at the Penang Hospital, said Health Ministry deputy director-general Datuk Dr Ramlee Rahmat.

The patient, a woman, was admitted to the Penang Hospital on Friday and the results were confirmed this morning, he told reporters at the ministry here.

Dr Ramlee said she was a friend of the first patient who was confirmed with the virus at the Sungai Buloh Hospital on Friday, adding that she was also on the same flight as him from the United States.

Two other friends of theirs who were on the flight have also been quarantined at home, he said, adding that the woman’s family are also under home quarantine.

Dr Ramlee said both patients are in stable condition while the other two friends have not shown any symptoms of H1N1 infection.

Explaining the development of the first patient, he said, the fever had dropped and his five family members who were quarantined also do not show symptoms.

Even the staff of a private clinic the first patient went to were placed under home quarantine and have shown no symptoms of the virus infection, he added.

On the passengers of Flight MH 091 from Newark, New Jersey at arrived at the KL International Airport on May 13, Dr Ramlee said 35 of 192 passengers had contacted the ministry and that the list of passengers has been sent to all state health departments to help contact them.

He also said that of the 192 passengers, 119 comprising of 81 Malaysians and 38 foreigners, were still in Malaysia and that 73 have left the country since.

The ministry has informed the World Health Organisation about the 73 people who had left so that the countries of destination are notified, added Dr Ramlee.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/5/16/nation/20090516113331&sec=nation