Hi-tech battle against flu

(Borneo Bulletin 8 July 2009)

By Azlan Othman

The fight against influenza A (H1N1) has gone hi-tech as the Ministry of Health has begun sending advisories through b.mobile's short message service (sms) since yesterday reminding the public to wash their hands frequently and to avoid crowded places if the person is not well and suffering from cold.

The messages to b.mobile users were sent as the ministry confirmed another 10 new influenza A (H1N1) cases as of 4pm yesterday bringing the tally to 174 cases. Seventy-six patients have been discharged from hospital or have completed their treatment.

Investigations are still ongoing on all the new cases. Also, 387 close contacts have completed their quarantine period. Meanwhile, 88 more cases are still undergoing treatment at the hospital or at home.

The Ministry of Health also said that from the total of 164 cases confirmed until yesterday, 66 cases or 40 per cent were children aged from five to 18 years. The ministry together with the Ministry of Education said it would continue to cooperate in monitoring the health of schoolchildren, particularly in preventing the spread of H1N1 infection.

Measures currently in place include temperature screening for schoolchildren and staff prior to entering classes, the formulation of guidelines for isolation and transporting of children with influenza symptoms to the nearest health centres and the formulation of guidelines for contact tracing and class closure in the event a case of H1N1 is confirmed in the school.

The ministry continues to remind the public, especially parents and guardians, to continuously monitor the health of their children and, if possible, check their body temperatures and health condition before sending them to school.

For children with symptoms of H1N1, their parents and guardians are advised not to send their children to school, to immediately seek medical attention, not to send them to extracurricular activities, extra classes or tuition classes, to keep them isolated from other family members and friends, not to bring them to public places including shopping malls and recreational parks and not to take them along to family gatherings and functions.

For general inquiries on H1N1, the public can contact Healthline 145 during office hours or 8220991 after working hours.