Malaysia : H1N1 - School student among three victims

From The Star, the latest H1N1 situation in Malaysia, the press release from the MOH can be found here :

" A form four school student in Kajang is among three people who died from H1N1 this year, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The girl, who had symptoms of vomiting, headache and cough for a week but no fever, was taken to a private hospital on Feb 22 when she fainted (syncope) after jogging.

She was then referred to Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Kuala Lumpur and then to Kuala Lumpur Hospital where she died on Feb 24.

"PCR tests confirmed that the virus on Feb 25 was H1N1 positive," he said in a press statement here Thursday.

Hulu Langat District Health Office probed the victim's school on March 1 and found that 15 of her 42 classmates had symptoms of cough or cold, while eight teachers screened had no influenza-like illness (ILI).

Liow said control measures had been taken including health education like washing hands and ethics when coughing.

Students and school staff with symptoms are advised not to come to school and seek treatment from health facilities.

The minister said that the school principal reported that two teachers were on sick leave due to fever, cough and flu while 149 of 1,600 students in the morning session were absent.

"Given the high rate of absenteeism, the school management decided to close the school (yesterday)," he said.

School principals and headmasters were reminded to abide by guidelines for the management of H1N1 in schools as cases often occur in clusters.

The number of confirmed H1N1 cases from Jan 1 until Wednesday stood at 679.

Liow said of 279 patients receiving treatment in hospitals, 31 tested positive H1N1.

"Two patients are being treated in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and both have risk factors," he added.

Those with ILI symptoms must stay away from public places and maintain a high level of personal hygiene."