Malaysia : Most cases from schools, camps

Via News Straits Times, the latest situation in Malaysia with regards to H1N1:

" Health authorities have reported 57 new cases of influenza-like-illness (ILI) yesterday of which five tested positive for influenza A (H1N1).

Two of the H1N1-positive cases are in Malacca while the remaining three are National Service trainees in Penang. All have been given outpatient treatment.

Kedah reported three cluster cases (involving 18 people), Pahang two (18 people), Selangor one (four people), Malacca one (two people) and Penang one (15 people).

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said a total of 591 people had been warded in hospitals as of 5.30pm on Thursday.

Six patients were being closely monitored by doctors in intensive care units because they were suffering complications.

Since many of the cluster cases reported involved school students and NS trainees nationwide, Dr Ismail appealed to parents to take the ministry's advice on H1N1 seriously.

They were advised to closely monitor their children for symptoms of the disease.

Of the eight new cluster cases, two involved schools in Kedah (SMK Sultanah Asma Kota Star) and Pahang (SMA Al-Attas Pekan), and NS camps in Kedah (PLKN Lagenda Sri Negeri in Langkawi), Pahang (PLKN Benum Hill in Raub), Selangor (PLKN GeoKosmo in Sungai Selisek, Hulu Selangor) and Penang (PLKN Kem Syruz, Machang Bubuk in Bukit Mertajam).

"If children showed signs of fever, cough, sore throat and headache, please take them to the nearest clinic or hospital. Early treatment will avert complications," he advised.

He also told parents not to send their sick children to school.

Workers who are sick, especially those having ILI, should not go to work but seek treatment and practise self quarantine at home.

Dr Ismail said people should distance themselves from social activities if they came into contact with the sick.

"Those in the high-risk category must take precautionary measures to avoid being infected," said Dr Ismail.

The ministry also advised all Malaysians who are in the high-risk group to be vaccinated against H1N1. Vaccinations are given free at the ministry's 104 facilities nationwide and details of the facilities are available in the ministry websites."

You can also read the official report from the Ministry of Health, but you would need to use Google Translate.