H1N1 tally reaches 29

By James Kon

(Borneo Bulletin report on 29 June 2009)

Four new confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in Brunei Darussalam surfaced yesterday, bringing the total of cases in the country to 29.

The Ministry of Health in a press statement yesterday revealed the 26th and 27th cases are sisters who were passengers on flight BI098 that arrived in Brunei Darussalam on June 24 from London via Dubai.

The18-year-old and 17-year-old siblings developed symptoms on June 26, 2009 and sought treatment the following day.

The 27th case is a 38-year-old female and the 29th case is a three year old girl. Both had contact with the 24th case that is a 35-year-old man on flight BI089 that arrived in Brunei Darussalam on June 24, 2009 from UK via Dubai.

Meanwhile, five confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) previously reported have recovered and discharged from Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital, Tutong which brings the total of patients fully recovered from the disease and have been discharged to 10.
The Ministry of Health also disclosed that a total of 209 close contacts of the 29 confirmed cases need to be quarantined for seven days.

These contacts have not shown any sign of the symptoms. However due to their exposure to the confirmed cases, they are required to be isolated and given Tamiflu as preventive treatment. The majority of these contacts are quarantined in their own respective homes.

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 as long as seven days.

For further inquiries and information, the public can contact 145 during office hours or 8220991 during and after office hours.

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Border hoppers return with H1N1
By Azlan Othman

(Borneo Bulletin report 28 June 2009)

Border hoppers arriving from Sabah are among the latest A (H1N1) patients, with five more influenza cases reported.

Two had just arrived from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah by car, another two from London via Dubai and another one was in contact with a previous case. The Ministry of Health said yesterday that to date, a total of 25 cases have been recorded.

The 21st case involved a 28-year-old lady who arrived on June 23 from Kota Kinabalu, with her family by car. Prior to this, the patient arrived from Dubai on June 22.

The 22nd case involved a 13-year-old girl who also just arrived from Kota Kinabalu with her family by car, arriving on June 22. The patient developed the symptoms on June 25 and underwent treatment on the same day.

The 23rd case was a 22-year-old man while the 24th case was a 35-year-old man, both of whom were passengers arriving from London via Dubai on June 24.

The 25th case was a 12 year-old girl who was in contact with the 19th case. The patient developed the symptoms on June 26 and confirmed to have the influenza A on the same day.

For the time being, no patients have been released from quarantine and all were still undergoing treatment and in good condition.

The Ministry of Health reiterated the need for the public who have just arrived from overseas to reduce their activities and social interaction voluntarily for seven days. They were also urged to monitor their health and to seek treatment immediately, should they develop the symptoms of the disease. Another measure is to practise good self-hygiene at all time.

The ministry's figure indicated that those aged between 16 to 20 contributed to the highest figure with seven cases, followed by 11 to 15-year-olds with six cases.

The ministry recently stated in a press statement that in the 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 at home as precaution against probable spread.

The Bulletin hotline also received calls from the public yesterday expressing concern over the rise in influenza A cases. This is especially so as school is slated to reopen on Monday.

A mother of three identified only as 'Lin' said it's better to be safe than sorry and lauded the move for self-quarantine for those who have visited the affected countries. "The symptoms of H1N1 might only appear days after they've arrived from abroad and once it reaches the school students, it will be a problem," she added.
The Sunday Bulletin understands that several schools in the country held a meeting yesterday morning to discuss the procedures to be implemented like temperature checks on every student before they enter the school.

Meanwhile yesterday afternoon, informed sources told the Bulletin that the school term may be extended for another week. Several teachers that were asked also confirmed that they have received instruction on the holiday extension that will apply for students. Teachers however have been asked to return to work this Monday.

The Ministry of Education when contacted said an announcement will be made but did not elaborate further about the one-week school holiday extension.

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H1N1 cases tally rises to 20

By M K Anwar

(Weekend report on June 27 2009)

Two more new cases of the Influenza A H1N1 was confirmed yesterday bringing the tally to 20 cases in the country.

The Ministry of Health updating on the new cases stated that the 19th case detected involves a 47-year-old male, a permanent resident who went to Kuala Lumpur on June 19, 2009 and returned to the country on June 22, 2009 via Miri on the AK5186 flight. On June 25, 2009, the patient sought medical attention and lab tests confirmed him positive the next day.
The 20th case meanwhile is an 18-year-old female who went to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia by car on June 23, 2009 and returned on June 25, 2009. She developed the symptoms on the day she returned and sought medical attention.

Lab test confirmed the next day that she was positive with the Influenza A H1N1.

The two patients are reported to be in good condition and still undergoing treatment.

So far, of the 20 confirmed cases, 12 had a history of overseas travel while the remaining eight were infected from close contacts with other cases.
Four previously confirmed cases have now recovered and discharged from the Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital in Tutong. Prior to being discharged, they have undergone further tests to ensure that they were well and free of the Influenza A H1N1 infection.

Meanwhile, parents are breathing a sigh of relief following further precautionary measures by the Ministry of Health to distribute face-masks and thermometers to schools nationwide. They also applaud the decision of the Ministry of Education to give leeway to students wishing to apply for extended holiday especially for those who had just returned from overseas.
The new school term recommences on Monday, June 29, and many parents expressed concern about the contagious disease. The measure to check students' temperature before entering the school compound was welcomed by most of the parents.

Norhayati, a 28-year-old banker and has two children going to school agrees that checking the students' temperature before they come in contact with other students can help minimise the spread of the disease.

Salehuddin, a teacher in a private school told the Weekend Bulletin that it's not only students who are checked; but even those wishing to enter the school compound must have their temperatures checked.

"Even the teachers will have to go through a temperature check before they enter the school", he added.

The Ministry of Health continues to advise the public who have returned from overseas trips to voluntarily reduce social activities and interactions for seven days.

Members of the public are also advised to monitor their health and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms. The MOH further reminds the public that good personal hygiene should be practised at all times.