Two new deaths were registered today due to Influenza A(H1N1), bringing the number of deaths till now to 76.

Health director-general Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said the victims were a 45-year-old woman from Sabah who had high fever and a 19-year-old girl from Bentong, Pahang.

"The first death occurred on Aug 26 and was reported to the ministry on Sept 10 where the woman was admitted to the Tambunan Hospital on Aug 17 for fever, cough and flu for three days. She was referred to the Keningau for intensive treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and antiviral treatment was started.

"However, she died on Aug 26 after 10 days in ICU due to complications of influenza and the death was recorded as 'severe bronchopneumonia with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome' and the case was confirmed to be H1N1 on Aug 19," Mohd Ismail said in a statement here.

He said the second victim was admitted to the Bentong Hospital on Aug 30 for cough for five days and fever for one day and antiviral treatment was started the same day.

He said the victim before that got out-patient treatment for symptoms of cough without fever on Aug 16 and on Aug 31 had breathing difficulties and was referred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital' ICU.

"However, the girl died on Sept 1 due to 'severe pneumonia with H1N1 infection' and the case was confirmed through laboratory tests on Sept 3. The death was reported to the ministry on Sept 10," he said.

Meanwhile, 156 new patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) were admitted to hospital today for treatment while 189 cases were discharged.

"This makes the remaining ILI cases number 881 being treated in 98 hospitals including 11 private hospitals. Of this number, only 141 patients (19 percent) were confirmed positive for H1N1," he said.

Malaysians told to practise self-hygiene

Mohd Ismail said of the 141 H1N1 cases, 37 cases were in the ICU where four were new admittances and four cases had left the ICU.

"Of the 37 cases in ICU, 28 (76 percent) had high risk factors that is chronic illness (nine), respiratory illness (three), obesity (six), children below the age of five (eight) and pregnancy (two)," he said.

Mohd Ismail said while Muslims were busy make preparations for Hari Raya, the ministry wanted to advise people to practice self-hygiene, not to be indifferent and to seek immediate treatment if they have Influenza A (H1N1).

He said supermarket and shopping complex managements were also called upon to have preventive measures including having hand-washing facilities, a clean environment and sufficient places to throw garbage and masks.

"People are encouraged to have with them the H1N1 kit (nose and mouth mask, tissues and sanitizer) wherever they go while shopping, on public transportation or celebrating at homes of relatives and friends and also to keep up-to-date on latest developments about the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic and steps suggested by the ministry from time to time," he said.

Information and latest developments can be got on the hotline numbers 03-8881 0200 and 03-8881 0300 between 8am and 5.30am, via email at cprc_h1n1@moh.gov.my and the ministry's website .