A(H1N1) advice 'must be clear, consistent'

The Health Ministry should send a clear and consistent message on the influenza A(H1N1) outbreak so that Malaysians know exactly what to do, said a doctor with the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

"We want people to be aware but we do not want them to panic,” said Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.

“Do not tell people to do a throat swab one minute and then say ‘don’t’ the next minute. That was really confusing for the public.”

As indiscriminate treatment would overwhelm the public health system, she advised all parties not to tax the facilities.

"Everyone has to do their part or the system will bear the brunt. It is really overstretched now. We here have to attend to 1,600 patients in one day. The public needs to understand that most people will recover from the flu.”

Adeeba said the high-risk group, including those who are pregnant, have lung conditions, are on immunosuppressor drugs or are obese, are the ones who need special medical care.

She was also asked to comment on ministry director-general Dr Ismail Merican's remark that fatalities could be avoided if health practitioners take appropriate actions immediately.

Adeeba said that, although treatment can be given very quickly, patients with underlying diseases could succumb before the medication can take effect.

"I cannot speak for other cases of death but from what I see here, the cause is not late detection. Lung infection takes off very fast and not much can be done," she said.

Ismail had revealed last week that, of the 56 recorded deaths, "40 percent involved delays in receiving early treatment and 13 percent was because of late detection by medical practitioners".

Responded Adeeba: "This is a delicate situation and we do not want to over-treat people. 64 deaths (to date) is a lot. I cannot speak for other cases of death but from what I see, it is not because of late recognition.”

Although there is sufficient supply of Tamilflu, she urged healthcare practitioners to be prudent in dispensing the anti-viral drug.

"If not, those who really do need medical attention will fall thru the cracks. The number of people down with the flu is certainly very big. It is a very unusual situation in Malaysia due to the extent of the infection.”