AMERICAN TOURISTS RELEASED FROM QUARANTINE

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Two American travellers, who had been
placed under quarantine in Sabah, have been cleared of influenza A(H1N1) virus
and discharged.

Director-general of Health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the duo, who were in
good health, were allowed to leave as the quarantine period was over.

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

Dr Mohd Ismail said so far Malaysia recorded only two infected cases on May
15 and 16 while 208 other cases had been tested negative.

"All 18 patients, who had been isolated in eight hospitals had been cleared
of A(H1N1) virus by the Institute of Medical Research. There is no local
transmission of the disease," he said in a statement Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Philippines became the latest the list of countries with
confirmed A/H1N1 flu cases bringing the total to 42 countries, the World Health
Organisation announced today.

Dr Mohd Ismail said 11,993 cases had been tested positive of the virus with
a further increase of 866 cases in 14 countries.

The United States registered the highest increase with 788 cases followed by
Japan (18), Spain (13), Chile (eight), Ecuador (seven), Australia (five), the
United Kingdom (five), Italy (four), Panama (four), Germany (three), China
(six), Belgium (two), Norway (one) and Switzerland (one).
The global death toll remains at 86.
-- BERNAMA