KUALA LUMPUR: Those suffering from influenza-like illness during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season have been advised to stay away from crowds and seek immediate treatment.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai reminded Malaysians not to be too caught up in the holiday mood and ignore flu symptoms, adding that the ministry would ensure enough medical staff were available.
“All doctors have been told to be on standby,” he said after the opening ceremony of the National Influenza A(H1N1) Pandemic Conference 2009 yesterday.
As of yesterday, 45 new cases of A(H1N1) were reported, he said. No new death was recorded and the death toll remained at 74.
Liow said although the number of those confirmed with A(H1N1) was going down, there was a need to be prepared for the second wave, as forewarned by the World Health Organisation.
The first batch of the A(H1N1) vaccine will arrive next month and this will help with the country’s preparedness plan, he added.
Meanwhile, health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said 40% of patients delayed seeking treatment and the highest number of deaths involved those aged 25 to 49.
Many of the patients aged 15 to 29 who died were obese, a recognised risk factor, Dr Ismail said.
“The concern now is co-circulation of the seasonal and pandemic viruses, and possible reassortment,” he said.
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