Health Dept: One Influenza A death H1N1-negative, two other results pending

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KUCHING: The state Health Department has confirmed that one of three recent deaths related to Influenza A at Sarawak General Hospital was tested negative for H1N1, or swine flu.

In a statement yesterday, state Health director Dr Jamilah Hashim said the department was still waiting for the test results of the other two deaths to check for H1N1.

The statement was issued following a viralled message that claimed Sarawak General Hospital had recently recorded three deaths due to H1N1.

“The infections in the three cases are not related to each other, and all three cases belong to high-risk individuals. Investigations have also found that there were no new infection cases or clusters reported after each of the three cases,” she said.

Dr Jamilah informed that infections caused by seasonal influenza virus will result in mild flu to the average person, but can cause severe infections in high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma or other chronic diseases.

“Complications due to severe influenza infections experienced by these high-risk groups have the potential to cause death. In general, cases of respiratory infections including influenza in Malaysia are constantly monitored by the Ministry of Health through a surveillance system to detect unusual occurrences,” she added.

She said that monitoring included the number of consultations sought for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and those admitted to hospital with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), while the National Public Health Laboratory and Medical Research Institute are also responsible for monitoring any changes to the influenza virus in the country.

Based on the trend recorded through the surveillance, she said there was an increase in the number of ILI cases albeit within the normal range since early this month, and that this trend was more or less the same when compared to previous years.

“In fact, analyses carried out on the influenza virus from this surveillance did not find any signs that it had mutated into a novel virus,” she added.

Dr Jamilah also reminded that flu can be highly contagious in high-density places such as schools, hostels, closed workplaces, training institutes, as well as army and police camps.

To prevent the spread, particularly in view of the schools holidays and festival period, she advised the public to maintain a high level of personal hygiene, practise good cough manners, and to regularly wash hands using water and soap or hand sanitiser.

“For those with symptoms of influenza infection, it is advisable to rest at home and not go to public places. Should there be a need to go to public places, they are advised to wear face masks.

“Those with worsening symptoms such as fever and cough or persistent sore throat, should go to a clinic or hospital for further treatment.

“The public and high-risk groups in particular are strongly encouraged to obtain seasonal influenza vaccination shots offered by private medical facilities,” said Dr Jamilah.