Students with the flu urged to stay put

Star: PUTRAJAYA: Health autho-rities have advised Malaysians studying abroad to delay their return if they show symptoms of influenza.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican made the call as authorities anticipate a big number of students from abroad coming home for the summer holidays.
“I hope those who show flu-like symptoms will immediately go to clinics and hospitals in the countries where they are to get treatment before returning to Malaysia,” he said yesterday.
Dr Ismail said a total of 153 people were currently under home quarantine after coming into contact with five people who have been confirmed to be down with influenza A (H1N1). Eighty-nine people who were asked to remain at home were those connected to a 23-year-old student who arrived from New York on June 1.
Forty-six people came into contact with two German tourists who flew in from Singapore on June 3 and 13 people were with the 28-year-old student who arrived from New York on Wednesday.
Five people who came into contact with a confirmed case arriving from Melbourne on Friday are also home quarantined.
Dr Ismail said since there were no new cases reported on Saturday, the number of influenza A (H1N1) cases reported in Malaysia remained at seven, with all being “imported cases”.
“The five patients are still under treatment and are recovering well. Their condition is reported to be stable while those under home quarantine are also reported to be well,” he said yesterday.