Close contact main cause of H1N1 rise

By James Kon

(Borneo Bulletin report on June 26, 2009 Friday)

As the total number of Influenza A H1N1 cases reaches 18 with seven new cases being recorded yesterday, the Ministry of Health reiterated its call to the public to take every precaution that it had given earlier to prevent the spread of this disease.

The number of cases rose to 18 within a matter of one week, the first case being reported last Saturday. It was also revealed that the new cases have contracted the illness from being in close contact with previous cases.
According to a press statement from the Ministry, five out of seven new cases contracted the contagious disease from close contact with the earlier cases.

The 12th case of H1N1 in the country is a six-year-old boy who arrived in the country on June 22, after travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The 13th case is a 14-year-old girl who has had close contact with the eighth case who is a 23-year-old woman.She developed the symptoms on June 18, after travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

While 14th case is a 23-year-old man who has had close contact with the first victim of H1N1 in Brunei Darussalam.

The 15th case is a 20-year-old foreign man who has stopped over in Brunei Darussalam from London on board BI098 on June 24, 2009 en route to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The patient developed symptoms of H1N1 after arriving in Brunei International Airport.

As a precautionary measure, passengers who sat in the same row and three rows in front and behind are currently being identified and contacted.
The 16th case of H1N1 is a 19-year-old girl who has had close contact with the fourth case.

The 17th and 18th cases are siblings who had close contact with the third case. The 17th case is an 11-year-old boy while the 18th case is a 14-year-old girl. All the confirmed cases are currently being treated and are in good condition.

From a total of 18th, 10 cases contracted the Influenza A Virus (H1N1) while in foreign countries. The remaining eight cases have had close contact with the 10 cases.

In the meantime, the first victim of H1N1 in Brunei Darussalam has been discharged from Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital, Tutong after full recovery.

Before being discharged, tests were carried out to make sure that the patient was in good health and free from H1N1.

The Ministry of Health once again would like to advise members of the public who have just returned from overseas to voluntarily reduce their activities and social interaction for at least seven days.

The just returned travellers are also advised to monitor their health and to get treatment immediately if symptoms of the disease surfaced.

In addition, precautionary measures need to be taken by practising good personal hygiene every time.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the start of the new school term, students who have returned from abroad after June 23 may apply and are advised to apply for an extended holiday to stay home as precaution against probable spread of the Influenza A (H1N1).

Acting Director of Schools, Awg Ibrahim bin Hj Abd Rahman urged school principals to allow this yesterday during the briefing and distribution of thermometers and masks to schools nationwide.

The Ministry of Health have distributed some 10,000 masks and 1,000 thermometers to public and private schools across the country.