By Husna Yusop
 |
PUTRAJAYA (Aug 11, 2009) :The number of deaths due to influenza A (H1N1) rose to 38 as at 8am today with six more deaths reported in the last 24 hours – all local transmissions involving Malaysians.
Of this, four were in the high-risk category as they had diabetes, asthma and hypertension, Health Director General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said.
At the same time, 270 new cases were reported nationwide yesterday, totaling 2,253 A(H1N1) cases altogether in Malaysia now.
“The six deaths had taken place previously but were only confirmed of having A(H1N1) infection on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and formally reported as A(H1N1)-related deaths on Monday.
“They actually passed away on Aug 4 (1), Aug 6 (2) and Aug 7 (3),” he said in a statement today.
At the moment, Ismail said, 48 infected patients were receiving treatment in hospitals while 11 were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) – of this, four are in the high risk category having chronic diseases, being obese and post-birth.
“Another 11 have been discharged on Monday,” he added.
On the global situation, Ismail said the pandemic caseloads have accumulated to 208,990 with 1,716 deaths from 174 countries – an increase by 835 cases and 28 deaths compared to the previous day.
Meanwhile, at a function to launch the new Clinical Practice Guideline for the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Ismail refused to comment at length when asked about an article saying masturbation and homosexual activities can lead to A(H1N1) infection.
To this, Ismail said: “That is an article. If you read an article and you digest it, whether you believe it or not, it’s up to you. There was no mention of the ministry of health. I wouldn’t want to comment on that article. Pandai-pandailah (use your discretion).”
Dr V. M. Palaniappan was quoted saying such activities caused the body to develop friction heat which in turn, produced acid and made the body hyperacidised and become susceptible to the virus.
Earlier, Ismail advised the media to be responsible in their reports, saying they should not give the impression that the government was hiding any information.
“If you do that, it is irresponsible. Whatever information I give is the accurate and reliable information. And we would only give information when we are absolutely sure,” he said. – The Sun
