ID :
73327
Sat, 08/01/2009 - 19:19
Auther :

HOSPITALS ON ALERT FOR PNEUMONIA COMPLICATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Government and private hospitals must
give specific attention to severe pneumonia complication cases, said Health
Director-General Dr Ismail Merican.

He said throat swabs should be taken from suspected influenza patients and
those in the high-risk group to enable early anti-viral treatment to be given
and to avoid acute complications.

High risk group comprises diabetic patients, obese persons, those with
chronic respiratory problems and low immunity, he said in a statement Friday.

Reminding the public to take precautionary steps, he said although the
vaccine would only be available in the market at year-end it did not mean
without it, the public could not protect themselves from the pandemic.

"The best way to protect ourselves from the infection is to practise good
personal hygiene, good coughing manner and social distancing.

"Those having flu-like symptoms should stay away from public gatherings,
impose self-quarantine and always wear masks," he said.

In southern state of Melaka, the Techical University of Malaysia (UTem) has
announced an early two-week semester break starting Monday instead of on Aug 15
due to the H1N1 scare.

Its vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Ahmad Yusoff Hassan said 67 Utem students had
been quarantined and three students were suspected of being infected with H1N1.

In northern city of Ipoh, two schools, a national service camp and
Universiti Teknologi Petronas students' hostels were ordered closed Friday after
several students were down with the flu.

The northern state of Perak Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs and
Public Transportation Committee chairman Dr Mah Hang Soon said the state Health
Department was conducting a post-mortem on the body of a female student who died
at the northern Bagan Serai Health Clinic early Friday.

"The 10-year-old girl had sought treatment on July 29 at the clinic for
suspected influenza A," he said.

Mah said the girl, who suffered from fever and cough, fainted five minutes
upon arrival at the clinic and initial investigations found she had low oxygen
level in her body.
-- BERNAMA

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