ANOTHER THREE COUNTRIES HIT BY INFLUENZA A (H1N1)

ANOTHER THREE COUNTRIES HIT BY INFLUENZA A (H1N1)


KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- Three more countries -- Colombia, El
Salvador and Portugal -- have officially reported influenza A (H1N1) cases,
making it 21 countries hit by the virus while the total number of cases reported
worldwide so far is 1,085 with 26 deaths.

Health Director-General Dr Ismail Merican said that according to the
World Health Organisation (WHO) in its report, 590 cases with 25 deaths were
recorded in Mexico and 286 cases with one death in United States.

Other countries that reported positive laboratoray tests for influenza A
(H1N1) with no deaths were Canada (101 cases), Britain (18), Spain (54), El
Salvador (two), Italy (two), Germany (eight), New Zealand (six), Israel
(four), France (four) and Austria, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Denmark, Netherlands,
Korea Republic, Switzerland, Ireland, Colombia and Portugal (one each).

The Health Ministry advises Malaysians, if possible, to postpone
international travel to countries with influenza A (H1N1) cases and those unwell
are also advised not to travel abroad.

"Those who have just returned from overseas, especially from countries with
influenza A (H1N1) cases, are asked to carry out self-examination and if they
develop symptoms like fever, cough or symptoms of respiratory infection, they
are asked to obtain immediate treatment at nearby clinics," Dr Ismail said in a
statement here Tuesday.


He said WHO still maintained the influenza pandemic alert level at Phase 5
and did not recommend health, travel and trade restrictions and closure of
borders to any countries.

He said that yesterday, the ministry received four reports regarding
patients warded to the isolation ward for investigation and observation. Three
at Sungai Buluh Hospital and one at Sarawak General Hospital.

"The four develop symptoms of influenza-like illness and have history of
travelling to the countries with influenza A (H1N1) cases. Three were confirmed
negative for influenza A by the Institute for Medical Research while the other
from Sarawak is in the process of laboratory tests.

"In this regard, to date no influenza A (H1N1) cases are detected in our
country," he said.

Dr Ismail said visitors from countries hit the outbreak and Malaysians who
returned from those countries were screened at international gateways and were
issued with the Health Warning Card and the Health Declaration Form.

-- BERNAMA