Sixth A(H1N1) case confirmed

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has confirmed its sixth case of influenza A (H1N1), a 28-year-old student who arrived here on Wednesday from New York on Malaysia Airlines’ Flight MH091.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the student did not exhibit symptoms at the airport but later reported to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital with cough and a sore throat.
“We confirmed the case today,” he told a press conference after a working visit to the National Heart Institute yesterday.
Liow said some of those on the flight had already been quarantined at home while the rest were being tracked down.
He also commended the passengers aboard MH091 for their quick response.
Liow urged all Malaysians to be vigilant and continue to practise good hygiene to prevent an outbreak through local transmission.
The ministry would also be issuing pamphlets and putting up posters to remind the public on the precautions to take when travelling overseas.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said that 61 people who came in contact with confirmed influenza A (H1N1) patients were under home quarantine.
Of the number, 35 were those who came in contact with the student who returned home from the United States, while 26 had contact with two German tourists infected with the virus.
The German tourists, aged 30 and 32, had travelled from Singapore on AirAsia’s Flight AK702 on Wednesday.
In a statement, Dr Ismail said the three were being treated and were in stable condition.
“There were 276 passengers and crew members on board MH091. So far, 71 have been traced in Malaysia.
“Of the 78 passengers and crew members on board the AirAsia flight, 20 have been found,” he said.
He said those on MH091 would be put under home quarantine until Monday, while those on AK702 would be released on Wednesday if they were found to be free of the flu.
He said two people who came in contact with an influenza patient in Hong Kong were released from home quarantine yesterday.
Dr Ismail said the tracking of other passengers was still going on and he appealed to those involved to contact the ministry at 03-8881 0200 or 03-8881 0300.
He said the ministry received 22 notifications of people experiencing influenza A symptoms, including the two Germans, on Thursday.