FIRST H1N1 CASE CLEARED, PATIENT DISCHARGED

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's first influenza A(H1N1) case
involving a 21-year-old male at the Sungai Buloh Hospital has been cleared, said
Director-general of Health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.

The student, who was tested positive of H1N1 virus on May 15, two days after
returning from the United States, was discharged today, he said in a statement
Friday.

He said the quarantine period of two United State citizens in Sabah would
end Saturday.

The duo were reported to be in contact with a H1N1 patient from Hong Kong on
a Cathay Pacific flight.

They are in good health, he added.

Dr Mohd Ismail said the influenza A (H1N1) situation in the country remain
unchanged with two infected cases on May 15 and 16 while 191 other cases had
been tested negative.

To date, 41 countries have been affected by influenza A (H1N1) with 11,127
cases tested positive of the virus with a further increase of 540 cases in 13
countries.

Canada recorded the highest increase with 223 cases followed by Mexico
(158), Japan (66), the United States (54), Costa Rica (11), Chile (11), Panama
(four), Australia (four), the United Kingdom (three), Peru (two), Spain (two),
Cuba (one) and Guatemala (one).

Two new casualties - one each in the United States and Mexico - were
reported Friday bringing the death toll to 86.
-- BERNAMA