ITALY & IRELAND CONFIRM INFLUENZA A(H1N1) CASES

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) -- Two more countries, Italy and Ireland, have
confirmed detecting influenza A(H1N1) cases, bringing the total number of
countries affected by the pandemic to 18.

Health Director-General Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said currently, the
number of cases worldwide stood at 898 -- an increase of 240 cases overnight --
with 20 deaths.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) is maintaining the pandemic alert level
at Phase Five since April 29, but did not recommend travel or trade restrictions
or the need to close borders for any country," he told a news conference here
Monday.

Dr Mohd Ismail said the countries reporting positive laboratory tests for
the influenza A(H1N1) virus but without any deaths were Canada (85 cases),
United Kingdom (15), Spain (40), Germany (8), New Zealand (4), Israel (3),
France (2) and one case each in Austria, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Denmark, the
Netherlands, South Korea, Switzerland, Italy and Ireland.

He said health screening on visitors and Malaysians returning from affected
countries would be stepped up through the issuance of health declaration forms
and health alert cards.

Until Sunday, a total 4,452 air passengers from 42 flights were screened
at the KL International Airport in Sepang.

Those coming from affected countries would be required to undergo health
screening, he added.

He advised members of the public who showed symptoms of influenza-like
illness, fever or coughing to seek immediate treatment.

He also remind them to maintain personal hygiene.

-- BERNAMA