NO NEW INFLUENZA A (H1N1) CASES DETECTED IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- The number of influenza A cases in
Malaysia remain at 12, as no new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours.

Director-General of Health Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said, out of the
12 imported cases, only the last five were still undergoing treatment with
one case each at the Sungai Buloh Hospital, Tuanku Jaafar Hospital in Seremban,
Kuala Lumpur Hospital and two cases in the Penang Hospital.

"They showed positive response toward the antivirus treatment given," he
said in a statement here Sunday.

Mohd Ismail said in the last 24 hours, a total of 42 case notifications of
influenza symptoms detected upon returning from countries affected were received
nationwide.

"Of the number, 16 cases have been admitted into isolation wards in four
hospitals for treatment and investigation, while 26 others were quarantined at
home.

"Twenty-nine of them have tested negative and 13 are still awaiting
results," he said.

He said 123 individuals who had been in contact with influenza A patients
had been placed under house quarantine and all were said to be in good health.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has informed that as 8am Sunday,
the
number of of influenza A(H1N1) reported has totalled 29,960 cases, with 145
deaths in 74 countries, which is an increase of 133 cases from the previous day
with no changes in the number of deaths.

The increase in new cases involve eight countries which are Australia
(67
cases), China (22), Philippines (19), Hong Kong (11), New Zealand (9), Korea (3)
and Vietnam (1).

The Health Ministry urged individuals who recently returned from affected
countries to limit their movements for seven days following their arrival, said
Mohd Ismail.

He added that individuals with symptoms of influenza A(H1N1) need to seek
treatment immediately and refrain from social activities and public places to
avoid spreading the disease.

-- BERNAMA