77 New Patients With ILI Symptoms

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Seventy seven new patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms were admitted into hospitals for treatment Friday.

However, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said no new deaths were confirmed for influenza A(H1N1).

He said 137 cases were discharged and that made 821 the number of people with ILI symptoms being treated in 90 hospitals including 14 private ones.

"Of the number of patients being treated 141 patients or 17 per cent have been confirmed for H1N1," he said.

Dr Mohd Ismail said the number of cases being treated in Intensive Care Units (ICU) was 30 (21 per cent) involving three new admittances while three had left the ICU.

"Of the 30 cases, 26 cases that is 87 per cent have risk factors that is eight with chronic illness, obesity (six), children below five years (six), respiratory illness (three) and pregnancy (three)," he said.

He said the Health Ministry urged people, especially those who have ILI symptoms while in hometowns to practice preventive steps during the Hari Raya.

Those steps were:

1. They needed to be isolated from other family members.

2. If they needed to be with family members, to wear face masks.

3. Avoid close contact including hugging persons of high risk like children under the age of five, pregnant women, asthma patients, diabetic patients and patients with low immunity.

4. If possible stay away from crowded places like open houses, 'kenduri', and Hari Raya prayers for fear of infecting others. If they wanted to attend Hari Raya prayers they should wear face masks and have their own prayer mats and not share them with others.

5. While in village, individuals who have flu symptoms should stay away from others, always wear face masks, wash hands often and not visit crowded places like open houses and 'kenduri'.

6. If symptoms do not lessen, individuals should see a doctor and get immediate treatment.

--BERNAMA