No new deaths from Influenza A (H1N1) were reported today while 380 new cases brought the total in the country to 5,876.

liow tiong lai health ministry h1n1 flu campaign pc 060709 04 Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said 1,556 patients were still warded in 98 hospitals nationwide, of whom 220 had tested positive for the virus.

He advised the public use sanitisers to clean their hands and to cover their mouths with masks in crowded place to avoid any transmission of the virus.

“Although there was only 0.1 to 0.4 per cent fatalities we must practise personal hygiene to avoid any transmission," he told reporters after launching the A(H1N1) prevention campaign at the Bukit Indera Muda clinic in Permatang Pasir here.

Liow, who is also MCA vice-president, however, urged the people in Permatang Pasir not to worry when going out to cast their votes in the by-election.

"We have taken drastic steps to prevent the transmission of the virus and the public should not worry too much," he said.

He said the ministry was working with the Election Commission to educate all the officers on duty to take precautions on polling day on Tuesday.

"We will also be distributing masks and sanitisers all the polling stations," he said.

- Bernama