The Health Ministry has confirmed Malaysia's first case of A(H1N1) infection after tests were conducted on a student currently warded at the Sungai Buloh hospital.Extracted from THIS LINK.
In a statement today, Health Department director-general Dr Ismail Merican said that the 21-year-old youth was warded on May 14 after suffering fever, sore throat and body aches, after returning home from the United States a day before.
"Anti-viral treatment has been administered on the victim and he is in stable condition," said Ismail.
However, Ismail said that the public has no reason to panic as his department was collaborating with all relevant agencies to ensure that monitoring works were intensified and other proactive measures were taken to protect public health.
Ismail said that the health ministry had taken measures to prevent the virus by initiating contact investigations between the victim, his family and the airline's cabin crew.
"The health ministry also advises all passengers of MH091 from Newark, USA which arrived on 7.15am, May 13 to contact 03-8810-0200 or 03-8881-0300 for further action," he said.
As of midnight, May 14, Ismail said that the ministry's Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) were notified of 11 of suspected A(H1N1) victims nationwide.
Other than the case in Sungai Buloh hospital, clinical tests revealed that all suspected victims tested negative for the virus.
MOH travel advisory
Ismail also said 20 thermal scanners have been installed in entry points nationwide and 9,324 individuals from affected countries have been scanned as of May 14.
"However, no one has been referred to the hospital for investigations," he said.
According to Ismail, Belgium is the latest country to have confirmed cases of A(H1N1) virus, thus bringing the total number of affected countries to at least 34.
Out of the 34 countries, more than 7,457 cases of the deadly virus outbreak has been reported with 70 deaths, as at 8am today.
According to World Health Organisation, the pandemic alert level is at phase 5 - out of a possible 6 - which means a global outbreak is 'imminent'.
Ismail also advised the public not to travel to affected countries while those returning from affected countries showing flu symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
"Furthermore, there is no risk of A(H1N1) infection if meat or swine products are properly prepared and cooked," he said.
Further information regarding the virus outbreak can be obtained through the Health Ministry website.
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A few days ago, my dear girlfriend Linda (mom of a former student) called me excitedly to let me know that when her husband asked her what she wanted for her birthday present, she replied, "Paula in Macau". Thereafter, he agreed to pay for a return air ticket for me. Of course I was absolutely delighted. It has been three years since I last saw Linda. Then Angela, a much beloved girlfriend knocked some sense into my head by saying, "Don't forget the A(H1N1) flu." My heart sank. To date, I have yet to book my ticket to take up Linda's offer, much to her disappointment. Thanks, dearest Linda but I have to wait and see first - after all, I have till November.
I am well aware of the dangers of flying during such times and would not want to risk being quarantined and putting other people who have had contact with me into a quarantine situation as well. My boy's Grade 6 piano and violin examinations are coming up and my better half is buried in work at the work place. Whilst I do not want to sound paranoid, I believe it is our responsibility to take precautions to reduce risk factors and to be in the pink of health.
So for this afternoon, I'd like to share this simple but useful article with you regarding how we can avoid contacting A(H1N1) flu. Take care and may God bless you and your family with good health. Have a great weekend.
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Grant Yourself the Gift of Immunity: 9 Ways to Stay Healthy This Flu Season
It is often hard to stay calm, when the news reports contain such words as Swine Flu: Impending Pandemic. Moreover, just the seasonal flu kills an estimated 36,000 people here in the U.S. every year. However, anxiety works against your immunity and other important body functions. You need to strengthen your body and can do so by practicing relaxation techniques, eating healthful foods, and adding natural supplements to your diet.
There are a number of things we can all do in the meantime to minimize our chances of getting the influenza virus. Vaccines and drugs are not at all reliable when it comes to especially a new viral influenza strain. Bolstering your immune system is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. There are a number of techniques we can safely utilize. The details are found in my book: PREVENT CANCER, Strokes, Heart Attacks and other Deadly Killers.
1. Good Hygiene
The old saying still holds true: Wash your hands, often! Any time you cough, sneeze, touch food, or use the bathroom, thoroughly wash your hands. This means a gentle, natural soap and water for a good 20 seconds. Use a face mask when out in public. Keep your environment clean with natural cleaners and air purification.
2. Watch for Flu, Respiratory, or Pneumonia Symptoms
Since swine flu is manifesting as a respiratory problem, you should keep an eye out for these symptoms in yourself and others. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, muscle pain, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, giddiness.
3. Stay Home
If you are experiencing any suspicious symptoms, stay home from work, school, travel and social engagements. This will help slow the spread to other people, and help you to heal faster.
4. Relaxation
Our immunities and inflammatory responses are compromised by high-anxiety situations. Studies have shown that psychological stress reduces the immune system's reactions to hormonal secretions that are normally used to fight inflammatory response. Consider spending time focused on relaxation: buy a yoga video, explore meditation, practice positive visualization or look into guided imagery techniques. A good massage can also help.
5. Sleep
Get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and take a nap if you need to. Sleep helps the body to heal, and limits your chances for picking up infection.
6. Healthful Diet
Proper nutrition through a varied diet is the ideal way to promote a strong immune system. Consume more fermented foods in your diet, especially fermented soybean which contains probiotic bacteria, isoflavones, saponins omerga-3 fatty acids, and phytosterols. These help to build one's immunity by helping to maintain peak levels of natural killer cells and macrophages (types of white blood cells) and by supporting cytokine production, which responds to infections.
7. Sunlight
Sunlight is the best way for your body to make vitamin D, which is great for immune system support. If you can, try to get 15 minutes of direct sunlight each day. Eat lots of berries and leafy green vegetables to protect your skin from being burned. I recommend at least 2,000 I.U. of vitamin D per day. Studies show that vitamin D stimulates the immune system and disease fighting cells, called macrophages and T cells.
8. Exercise
Regular exercise activity is wonderful for keeping the immune system strong. Several 20-30 minute brisk walks a week are recommended for most adults.
9. Natural Supplements
It is nearly impossible to get all the body needs to ward of viruses through diet. Supplementing your diet with natural products containing fermented soy, curcumin, resveratrol and green tea will give your body the boost it needs to be at its peak.
Fermented Soy: Boosts the body's immunity and regulates its inflammatory responses.
Curcumin: Have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal and immune regulating properties.
Resveratrol: Is found in red wine and has been considerered a life prolonging plant. Taking Resveratrol supplement rather than consuming alcohol is a safer, more effective way to benefit.
Green Tea: One cup of green tea provides 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant effects greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots or strawberries. Green Tea supplements provide the maximum benefit.
Yours in Vibrant Health,
Dr. Vijaya Nair, MD, FAMS, MS
Visit jivasupplements.org to learn more about the natural products discussed in this article and about Dr. Nair and her extensive research.
Author's Bio
Dr. Vijaya Nair is an esteemed medical researcher and epidemiologist with a passion for integrating Eastern approaches with Western medical and scientific training. A native of Singapore, she earned her medical degree from the National University of Singapore in psychiatry. Dr. Nair later immigrated to the United States, where she received a master’s degree in epidemiology from Columbia University and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School.
Kak Ezza@makcik Blogger thanks for the info and happy Teachers day to you.