Malaysia : Five states put on high alert

Via News Straits Times, the headlines and the article speaks for itself:

" Five states -- Malacca, Selangor, Pahang, Johor and Penang -- have been put on high alert for influenza A (H1N1) after many clusters of suspected and confirmed cases were reported there over the past few weeks.

The Health Ministry has directed state health directors and district health officers in the affected states to put in place the mitigation phase action plan to contain spread of the disease.

Yesterday, 11 new influenza-like illness (ILI) cluster cases were reported, involving a total of 72 people in the five states.

Of the total number of patients, 16 have tested positive for H1N1 so far.

Test results on the others, including 35 schoolchildren whose throat swab samples have been sent to laboratory, are pending.

The 11 new cluster cases involved four schools: SMK Kuala Kubu Baru (Selangor), SJK (C) Chong Hwa in Senggarang, Batu Pahat, and SM Vokasional Batu Pahat (both in Johor) and SBP Integrasi Indera Mahkota in Kuantan.

"Although we have not been hit by the second wave, which is more serious, we have to be on alert with the people being susceptible to the infection," Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said yesterday.

As of 5.30pm on Wednesday, a total of 528 people were in hospitals nationwide with ILI symptoms, of whom 68 had been confirmed positive for H1N1.

Of those confirmed, eight were in intensive care units. Since May last year, a total of 12,971 people had been infected with H1N1, with the death toll at 81.

Dr Ismail reiterated his advice that the people take all precautions to prevent getting infected, especially those in the high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and those with chronic diseases, asthma, diabetes, kidney failure, heart diseases and respiratory problems.

Asked if those in the high-risk groups were coming forward for vaccination, he said: "Many are now coming into our 104 health facilities that have been identified for giving the vaccination.

"We also want all frontliners in hospitals and other government departments, such as police and Immigration officers, to get themselves vaccinated."

Dr Ismail said the best way to prevent getting infected was by washing hands regularly with soap and water, using hand sanitisers, complying to social distancing from sick people or wearing mask and leading a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water and having enough sleep."