A new influenza A(H1N1) death was reported by the Health Ministry today, bringing the total number of cases in Malaysia to 71.

The victim was a 24-year-old woman and her cause of death was confirmed to be "H1N1 with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)", said Health Director-General Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.

NONE Mohd Ismail also said 1,446 influenza-like-illness (ILI) patients were receiving treatment at 98 hospitals, including two private hospitals, throughout the country.

Of that number only 217 patients (15 percent) were positive for H1N1.

"Of the 217 cases confirmed for H1N1, 51 cases were in the ICU where nine cases were new admittances while two patients were moved out of the ICU," he said in a media statement today.

Mohd Ismail said of the 51 cases being treated in the ICU, 39 cases (76 percent) had high risks like chronic diseases (21 cases), obesity (9), children/infants (6), post natal case (1) and Down Syndrome (2).

Meeting tomorrow

On the global situation, Mohd Ismail said a World Health Organisation (WHO) report said the number of cases till Aug 26 was 239,985 with 2,601 deaths and this indicated that the spread of the H1N1 pandemic was still active affecting 182 countries.

The WHO in its report also reminded that the figures presented did not reflect the true picture of the situation as the organisation now did not make it compulsory for cases to be reported, he said.

Mohd Ismail also said that a dialogue between Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai and private medical practitioners on handling the influenza cases will be held tomorrow at the ministry.

He said all private practitioners were very much encouraged to attend to clarify handling of cases of ILI that are suspected to be of influenza A(H1N1).

- Bernama