Health Ministry: Use rapid tests to check for flu

Star: PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry is encouraging the public and private sectors to use rapid screening tests for those with flu-like symptoms.
This was among the additional strategies to battle the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) and to solve the congestion in the public hospitals and clinics.
In a statement yesterday, the ministry said the World Health Organisation recommended the use of rapid tests in assisting clinical decisions and for the rapid screening of cluster outbreaks.
“It must be noted that these tests are only 70-75% accurate,” it said. As this meant a proportion of those infected might test negative, patients whose tests show a negative result should still observe all necessary precautions.
All clinics and hospitals in the public and private sectors could now treat patients suspected of having contracted A (H1N1) with oseltamvir, better known as Tamiflu.
The ministry said it would discontinue the daily reporting of the number of tested and confirmed cases in the country. However, it would continue reporting the number of admitted flu cases and deaths.
Doctors have also been told to be flexible and give patients who showed flu-like symptoms at least a three-day medical leave to minimise the risk of transmission.
Negri Sembilan Health Depart-ment director Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar, who spoke to reporters after a meeting with Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai in Port Dickson yesterday, said employers should also accept these medical certificates.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, meanwhile, said a 40-year-old man was the latest fatality from the flu, bringing the death toll to 15.
He said the man, who was obese, was admitted into KL Hospital after suffering from breathing difficulties on Monday and died of acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock (caused by the failure of the heart to pump effectively) two days later.
Johor Health department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yaakub, meanwhile, reported two deaths in the state yesterday which were not included in the national tally.
A nine-year-old girl and a 37-year-old man died at Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru yesterday.