Continuous 4 days no death

KUALA LUMPUR: For the fourth day running, no death from influenza A (H1N1) was reported and the death toll remained at 73 since last Thursday.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said on Monday, however, 228 patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) had been warded while 248 more had been discharged.

He said only seven of 48 H1N1 patients undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) were new patients.

The others included 11 patients with chronic diseases, children under five years (seven), morbid obesity (nine), pregnant woman (one) and respiratory patient (one), he said in a statement.

He said of 1,283 ILI patients, 16.7 percent of them were confirmed H1N1 positive including 48 patients in the ICU. Ismail warned smokers, especially youngsters, that they were at risk of being infected with influenza as the smoke inhaled could affect the respiratory system and expose them to the virus.

"Nonsmokers should avoid inhaling tobacco smoke," he added.

Ismail advised the public to continue to observe the H1N1 safety guidelines.

Bernama