KOTA KINABALU: The Health Ministry has taken several measures to prevent the spread of Influenza A (H7N9) following the confirmation of the first case in the country.
Sabah Health Director Dr Christina Rudi said yesterday that the actions include stepping up check for influenza cases across the country, especially in the state including increasing the number of sentinel locations in Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu from eight to 12.
They are also strengthening laboratory capacity in Sabah to test H7N9, increasing infection prevention and control in all health facilities and cooperating with the Veterinary Department to increase the surveillance of birds.
The health authorities are also getting the cooperation of travel agencies which are
arranging visits of tourists from avian influenza-hit countries to advise their customers to postpone the trip. If any of the tourists have respiratory symptoms, they have to seek immediate treatment at the nearest health facility.
The Ministry of Health also advises individuals who have visited the avian influenza-hit countries and have respiratory symptoms after returning home to wear surgical masks and immediately seek medical treatment.
Those planning to travel are advised to avoid visiting markets selling live poultry.
In addition, they should always adopt a high level of personal hygiene such as washing hands frequently with soap and water orsanitizer, especially after coughing and sneezing; avoid touching any surface contaminated by stool and/or blood of poultry;
not to hold birds found dead without protective equipment and report the unnatural death of birds to the nearest veterinary office; and ensure food is fully cooked before eating.
Human infections with a new avian influenza A (H7N9) virus were first reported in China in March 2013. Most of these infections are believed to result from exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments, as H7N9 viruses have also been found in poultry in China.
While some mild illnesses in human H7N9 cases have been seen, most patients have had severe respiratory illness, with about one-third resulting in death. No evidence of sustained person-to-person spread of H7N9 has been found, though some evidence points to limited person-to-person spread in rare circumstances.
The Health Ministry of Malaysia yesterday confirmed the first Influenza A (H7N9) case in the country, involving a female tourist from China.
The import case involves a 67-year-old Chinese woman, who had travelled from Guangdong, China, to Kuala Lumpur on Feb 4.
She went to Sandakan, Sabah the next day before going on to Kota Kinabalu on Feb 6.
“The woman was referred to a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu on Feb 7, and (after two screenings) on Feb 11, the sample tested positive for the Influenza A (H7N9) virus.
“She is currently receiving treatment in the ICU, put on ventilator and is in a stable condition,” Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said yesterday.