Thursday April 8, 2010

Seven flu-like clusters reported, says minister

PETALING JAYA: Seven influenza-like illness (ILI) clusters have been reported in Pahang, Selangor and Kedah, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

He said these clusters were in schools. “Four out of 12 students from SJKC Han Ming, Puchong, tested positive for Influenza A(H1N1),” he said, adding that they were treated in hospital and discharged.

In a statement yesterday, Liow said laboratory test results for the others had not been received.

So far, students from six other schools have been given outpatient treatment. Thirty-two students were from SM Sains Pekan, SM Sains Kuala Selangor (15), SJKC Chung Hwa Langkawi (46), MRSM Langkawi (17), SMK Mahsuri Langkawi (56) and SRK Bayas, Langkawi (54).

Liow said the ministry had instructed all state health directors to enhance health education and prevention activities, especially in schools and public areas.

“Each ILI case in the community must be investigated immediately and reported to the minsitry the same day,” he said, adding that the ministry would issue daily updates.

As of Monday evening, he said 118 new patients with ILI symptoms were admitted to hospital with 65 discharged later. There was a total of 507 ILI cases in 47 government hospitals and 12 in private hospitals.

Of the total, 36 patients or 7.1% were confirmed A(H1N1) cases, with four being treated in the Intensive Care Unit.

Meanwhile, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said 823 dengue fever cases and two deaths were reported between March 28 and Saturday.

“The two deaths were due to dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome complication.”

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