The Health Ministry has laid out four phases that will be implemented during any festive season to prevent the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus in the country.

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the four phases covered steps to prevent infection before returning to hometowns and villages; during the journeys; while in hometowns and villages; and after returning.

NONE "We should not be overly panicky and be too scared that we do not know what to do. We can actually do something to prevent ourselves from being infected," he told reporters after launching the 'Hari Raya Without H1N1' campaign at the Jalan Duta Bus Terminal today.

Liow again reminded people to continue taking preventive steps.

He said people were also reminded to often surf the Health Ministry's website for the latest developments on the virus and control and preventive steps.

"While celebrating, when free go to the website. Look at our suggestions and steps," he said.

No new deaths recorded

On the H1N1 situation in the country, Liow said there were no new deaths recorded today in addition to the 74 earlier and that 48 new patients had been admitted to hospital for influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms and that 126 patients had been discharged.

This makes for 970 patients in 102 hospitals, including 13 private hospitals.

He said of the total 193 patients were confirmed for H1N1 and that 41 were in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Thirty three of those were in the high risk group. Thirteen had chronic diseases, chronic respiratory disease (four), obesity (eight), children below five-years (seven) and there was one pregnant woman.

"I wish to advise the 80 per cent high risk group to be careful. I also worry about the balance 20 per cent who are not in the high-risk group.

"Don't take this sickness lightly and don't suppress your sickness. If you are sick, you have to seek a doctor's treatment. Don't let it be that just because of the Hari Raya or other festive season and holiday, you take your own sickness for granted and don't seek treatment immediately," Liow said.

- Bernama

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