Two new A(H1N1) deaths registered today

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Sept 2009: Two new deaths due to Influenza A(H1N1) were registered today, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 76.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the victims were a 45-year-old woman from Sabah, and a 19-year-old girl from Bentong, Pahang.

“The first death occurred on 26 Aug and was reported to the ministry on 10 Sept. The woman [had been] admitted to the Tambunan Hospital on 17 Aug for fever, cough and flu. She was referred to the Keningau for treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and antiviral treatment was started. However, she died after 10 days in the ICU due to complications,” Ismail said in a statement here.

He said the second victim was admitted to the Bentong Hospital on 30 Aug, and antiviral treatment was started the same day.
“However, the girl died on 1 Sept due to severe pneumonia with H1N1 infection, and the case was confirmed through laboratory tests on 3 Sept. The death was reported to the ministry on 10 Sept,” Ismail said.

Meanwhile, 156 new patients with influenza-like illness were admitted to hospital today for treatment, while 189 cases were discharged. The remaining number of cases of influenza-like illness was 881, with patients treated in 98 hospitals, including 11 private hospitals.

Only 141 patients or 19% of the total number of influenza-like illness cases had been confirmed positive for H1N1, 37 of which were in the ICU, Ismail said.

Information and latest developments can be obtained via the hotline numbers 03-8881 0200 and 03-8881 0300 between 8am and 5.30am, via email at cprc_h1n1@moh.gov.my, or via the ministry’s website. — Bernama