KUCHING: The Sarawak Health Department (JKN) has confirmed, regarding the recent three deaths at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), that test result of the influenza virus in the first case was negative for the H1N1 virus.
JKN director Dr Jamilah Hashim in a statement said this in responding to a viral message on social media claiming that the three deaths were due to H1N1.
“The results of the investigation revealed that all three cases had positive clinical samples for Influenza A.
“The first case tested negative for H1N1. However, test results of the second and third case have yet to be determined,” she said.
Dr Jamilah said the three cases were not related to each other, but all three cases belonged to a high-risk group and investigations also found that no new cases or clusters were reported following each case.
In general, she stressed cases of respiratory infections including influenza in Malaysia were constantly monitored by the Ministry of Health to detect unusual occurrences through the surveillance system.
“The monitoring included consultation rates for influenza-like illness (ILI) and hospitalised patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). The National Public Health Laboratory and the Medical Research Institute are also responsible for monitoring any changes to the influenza virus,” she said.
She then said based on trends recorded from the surveillance activity, the ILI case had seen an increase in the normal range since early November, similar to those in previous years.
“In fact, analyses of influenza viruses detected from these surveillance activities did not show any signs of mutation leading to the emergence of a new influenza virus (novel virus),” she said.
She further explained that influenza was an infection with major symptoms such as cold or flu, sore throat, cough and other symptoms such as headache, muscle aches, joint pain and fatigue.
“Seasonal influenza virus infections only cause mild flu to normal people but can cause severe infections to high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with diseases chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, fatigue and more.
“The complications caused by severe influenza infections by these high-risk individuals also have the potential to cause death,” Dr Jamilah said.
She said flu caused by fever or flu was highly contagious in humans, especially in high-density places such as schools, hostels, closed workplaces, training institutions and military or police camps.
“Therefore, to prevent the spread of influenza infections, especially in conjunction with festivals and school holidays now, JKN would like to remind the public to maintain a high level of personal hygiene, practice regular hand washing with water and soap or hand sanitiser and practice good coughing manners,” she said.
And for those with symptoms of influenza infection, she said it was advisable to rest at home and not go to public spots.
“Those that need to go to public places are advised to wear face masks.
“If you have severe symptoms such as fever and cough or sore throat, go to a clinic or hospital for further treatment. The public and the high-risk groups in particular are strongly encouraged to obtain seasonal influenza vaccine vaccinations offered by private health facilities,” she said.
