A (H1N1) flu: M’sia reports 3 more cases
PUTRAJAYA: Three more new cases of influenza A (H1N1) have been confirmed in Malaysia, making the total number of patients infected with the disease to five since May 15.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the first new case was a Malaysian student, 23, who travelled home from the United State on MAS flight MH091 for holiday.
“The student did not have fever when he arrived at the KL International Airport on Monday (June 1) but started to have the symptom and cough on Wednesday (June 3),” he told a press conference here Thursday.
He said the student was admitted at the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital in Seremban on Wednesday for treatment and investigation.
“He was confirmed to have contracted the disease at 4am Thursday through laboratory test carried out by the Malaysia Medical Research Institute,” he said.
He said the student, who had been given anti-viral treatment, was in stable condition.
Liow said the other two patients were two Germans tourists, who first arrived in Singapore on Monday (June 1) for their holiday in Asia countries.
“They arrived at the LCCT on AirAsia flight AK702 on Wednesday (June 3) at 1.55pm,” he said.
He said the two patients, aged 30 and 32, started having fever in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (June 3).
“They received treatment at the Gleneagles Hospital, Kuala Lumpur and were transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for further treatment and investigation at 1.40am on the same day,” he said.
He said the two patients, who were friends, were confirmed with the disease at 3pm Thursday through laboratory test by the Malaysia Medical Research Institute.
“They are in stable condition and anti-viral treatment will start now,” he said.
Liow said the ministry was tracking those who came into contact with the two German patients, including crew members and passengers on board AK702, to prevent local transmission of the virus.
“We ask for their cooperation with the ministry by contacting us at 03-8881 0200 or 03-8881 0300 so that we can give them health advice, including the need of home quarantine,” he said.
However, Liow could not give details of how many crew members and passengers from AK702 were involved.
“We are still getting the information,” he said.
He advised members of the public to practise cough etiquette by covering their mouth and washing their hands with soap and water after coughing and sneezing.
“Those who are coughing and having flu are advised to uses ‘three-ply’ mask to prevent infection,” he said.
He also urged those who were having fever, cough and flu not to travel overseas to reduce respiratory infection.
By NG CHENG YEE
Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/4/nation/20090604155120&sec=nation
