Flu kills three more, death toll raises to 67

There have been three more deaths due to the Influenza A (H1N1) virus taking the toll to 67 deaths, said Health director-general Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.

He said all the three deaths involved those in the high-risk group including a 33-years-old woman who died due to severe bronchopneumonia and who was tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) on Aug 12 after being admitted to the intensive care unit on Aug 7.

The second victim a girl aged 10 years admitted on July 17 was confirmed dead due to "Systematic Lupus Erythematous with severe pneumonia with renal impairment" on Aug 13, Mohd Ismail said in a statement.

He said the third victim was an elderly person aged 71 who was admitted to hospital after having fever, cough and breathing difficulties for two days and who died on Aug 14 due to "Ischaemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy precipitated by pnuemonia."

"The Health Ministry finds there are many patients who have the influenza A(H1N1) infection who are not cooperating in controlling the epidemic," he said, adding that they needed to cooperate.

On the situation in the country, Dr Mohd Ismail said till this morning the number of H1N1 patients treated in wards was 276 while 36 confirmed for H1N1 were being treated in the ICU throughout the country.

Of the 36 cases in the ICU, 21 had risk factors, he said.

He also reminded people that antiviral treatment was only given to three high risk groups and those having influenza without undergoing confirmation tests for Influenza A(H1N1).

People were asked to follow latest developments and take preventive steps by referring to the special H1N1 website or calling the hotlines 03-88810200 and 03-88810300.

No closure to NS camps

In a related development, 85 National Service (NS) camps in the country will not be closed as the spread of the influenza A(H1N1) virus is still under control, said NS Training Council chairman Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe.

"Closing of camps is the last resort as we can still quarantine those positive in camps," he said.

Tiki said closing camps and sending trainees home who were positive can cause the spread of the virus as they would be exposed to open society.

"For those free of the virus, if we send them home they may be exposed to the virus outside," he told reporters after chairing the council meeting today.

He said the NS council would however close camps if directed to do so by the Health Ministry.

He said 42 camps had been closed temporaily for a week earlier and of those 35 had been reopened.

Twenty-five trainees and a trainer were confirmed positive for the virus and that their situation was stable and controlled.

"For now the camps are open, none closed again. Additionally we have and will have additional buildings for quarantine purpose," he said.

Tiki called on parents not to panic as the department had taken proper steps to handle the epidemic.

"For the NS group in Jan 2 next year, we want parents and trainees to be aware of the situation.

"If you have the symptoms, undergo an examination in clinics or hospitals and let us know. We hope parents will not be afraid to send their children to the NS," he said.

Pahang royal members discharged

Meanwhile Tengku Puan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and her five children will temporarily stay away from Istana Abu Bakar, Pekan after being treated for H1N1 infection.

After 12 days under quarantine at the Royal Ward of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital here, Tunku Azizah and her children, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, 14, Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri'ayatuddin Shah, 12, twins Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu'adzam Shah and Tengku Puteri Afzan Aminah Hafidzatullah, 9, and Tengku Puteri Jihan Khalsom 'Athiyatullah, 7, were discharged at 10.30am today.

Also allowed to return home were her sister, Tunku Mariam Zaharah Sultan Iskandar and daughter, Claudia Soffiya Ahmad, after they were confirmed to have been cured of the H1N1 infection.

Tunku Azizah, however, said that she and her family would not return to the palace just yet as she was informed that some of the palace staff had been having fever for a week now.

"Three of my children, Tengku Ahmad, Tengku Puteri Jihan and Tengku Puteri Afzan will also have to sit for their school term examinations tomorrow away from school or at a hotel," she told reporters in Kuantan today.

Tunku Azizah said from the ordeal of contracting Influenza A(H1N1), the family now realised how wonderful it was to be free because the quarantine was a real test for them as they were not allowed any visitor.

Prince cried after infected with H1N1

She said the quarantine period also sadly reminded her of the fate of the Austrian girl who was held captive in a cellar and sexually abused by her father for 24 years before she gained freedom following her rescue.

"What relief, what happiness when you can finally see the outside world," she said.

Tunku Azizah recalled how she was choking with emotion when she was informed that her nine-year-old son Tengku Ahmad Ismail became hysterical and cried after the doctor confirmed that he was H1N1 positive before being warded on Aug 7.

"I was in London at the time and he was being cared for my sister, Tunku Mariam Zaharah. I returned home immediately.

"My son howled and was in tears again when he saw me as he knew that the disease could be fatal. We all cried while I tried to comfort him, saying that the doctor would always be around to treat him," she said.

All of Tunku Azizah's children were admitted to hospital on Aug 7 before she herself, a day after her return as she also got the virus from looking after her children.

- Bernama