Malaysia : National dengue alert

Via The Sun, excerpt :

" The dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever situation is worsening nationwide, with the number of cases hitting 9,453 and 17 deaths, all within the first 37 days of this year.

For the same period last year, the figures were only 2,559 cases and five deaths.

Expressing concern, Deputy Director-General of Health (Public Health) Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said today: "Dengue is not only a big issue in Malaysia but also globally, as countries worldwide are experiencing an increase in deaths and cases and this is very worrying."

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dengue cases has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Over 2.5 billion people – more than 40% of the world's population – are now at risk from dengue and WHO currently estimates that there may be 50 million to 100 million dengue infections worldwide every year.

Lokman said the ministry has intensified its efforts to contain the outbreak but added that the public also needs to play an important role by keeping their houses and surroundings clean and free of mosquito breeding grounds."

Malaysia : Dengue cases continue to rise

Via The Daily Sun :

" More than 500 new cases of dengue were reported in the period between March 4 to 10, bringing the total number of reported cases to 5,184 cases nationwide since Jan 1.

However, there were no new deaths reported and the number of new cases have decreased by 63 cases to 504 cases, compared to 567 cases between Feb 26 to March 3.

The outbreak has so far claimed 16 lives, compared to 8 deaths in the same period last year."

Malaysia ready to face regional H5N1 outbreak

Via The Sun Daily :

" All 1,600 Influenza A (H5N1) tests conducted by the Veterinary Department on poultry samples this year came back negative, Health director general Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said today.
He also said no cases involving humans have been detected in the country to date.

Hasan said Malaysia had since 2006 also implemented its National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP).

As such, Hasan urged the public to not worry, in light of the recent outbreak of H5N1 reported in Hong Kong earlier this week.

"The virus can be only be transmitted to humans who are in contact with the infected poultry," he said adding that Hong Kong health authorities have taken measures to curb the outbreak.

"There has so far been no human to human infection reported in Hong Kong," he said."

UK : Pregnant woman in swine flu life battle

Via The Sun :

" A MUM-to-be was fighting for life in hospital last night after being struck by swine flu.

The woman is thought to be several months into her pregnancy and has the potentially deadly H1N1 strain of the virus.

She was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and has been hooked up to a special ECMO machine to help her beat the illness."

UK : Second pregnant mum with swine flu fights for life

An article from The Sun :

" A PREGNANT mum of four is fighting for life in a medically induced coma after contracting swine flu.

Gemma Escott, 27, is on life support with her kidneys failing after husband Martyn took her to hospital on Christmas Day when she could not breathe properly.

Doctors have now diagnosed six-months pregnant Gemma with swine flu and pneumonia.

Martyn, 33, of Evercreech, Somerset, is keeping a constant vigil as doctors at Yeovil District Hospital are battling to save her life.

Gemma's case comes just days after pregnant mum Fallon Devaney recovered from the virus."

Malaysia : Concern over rise in dengue cases

Via The Sun, dengue has always been a big problem in Malaysia and looks like it's not going to go away anytime soon :

" KUALA LUMPUR (July 07, 2010): Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said today the rise of dengue, which has led to 81 deaths so far this year, is cause for concern.

“This is in contrast to a total of 88 deaths throughout the whole of last year,” he said.

“Despite a decline in the number of dengue cases, there has been an increase in mortality cases, and the public has to take this very seriously.”

Liow said it was imperative that the public seek early treatment if they experience symptoms of a dengue infection, especially now as this is a peak breeding period for the Aedes mosquito.

“Dengue is not curable but we can treat the symptoms, so it is important that they are treated before they progress too far. Any situation involving, for example, low platelet count needs to be treated promptly,” he said."